Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the terms of reference of the feasibility study into the restoration of the Skipton to Colne railway link.

The study is being progressed under the Government’s new approach to railway enhancements. We are creating a rolling programme of investment, focused on outcomes that deliver real benefits to passengers, freight users and the economy. This new approach was set out in the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) published in March 2018.

The study, on which we are working closely with Transport for the North, will evaluate the costs, value and funding options for reopening the line for passengers and freight, as part of a freight route across the Pennines. It will build on previous work commissioned by the local authorities and local campaign group. We expect to receive the results later this year in the form of a Strategic Outline Business Case prepared in line with the RNEP approach and other Government guidance on transport business cases. We will engage with wider stakeholders as the study progresses and on the conclusions before any decisions on next steps.