Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential for economic regeneration of coastal communities through rail infrastructure investment; and if he will make a statement.

We have a £10.4bn budget for rail enhancements in Control Period 6 (2019-2024). £500m of this is available for Restoring Your Railway schemes, to start reopening lines and stations, reconnecting smaller communities, regenerating local economies and improving access to jobs, homes and education. All rail enhancement schemes are assessed on a case by case basis. In addition, Ministers have approved the entry of the Kent and East Sussex Coastal Connectivity Scheme to formally enter the Government’s rail enhancements pipeline.