Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will undertake an assessment of the potential effect on levels of air pollution in Bath of the (a) completion and (b) non-completion of rail electrification between Chippenham and Bristol Temple Meads.
Network Rail is delivering the Great Western Electrification Programme to the dates set out in the latest publication of their Enhancement Delivery plan. This includes completing electrification of the Great Western Mainline by the end of CP5.
The National Audit Office’s report states that electrification is now expected to cost £2.8 billion.
The Department does not hold cost details for electrification between these specific stations. This information is held by Network Rail.
Environmental consideration of air pollution is taken into account as part of the business case for electrification of the Great Western Route.