Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will meet with (a) the hon. Member for Lichfield and (b) officials from the West Midlands Rail Executive to discuss the re-opening of the existing Lichfield City to Derby via Burton on Trent freight line for use for passenger traffic.

I understand that officials from Transport for the West Midlands have met with the Hon. Member and that they are undertaking a study to evaluate the business case for this proposal. As the Minister responsible for rail, I would be happy to meet with him and officials in due course to discuss the findings.