Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of restoring the Skipton to Colne rail route.

All feasibility work relating to the proposed reinstatement of the Skipton-Colne line has been completed. While there is a strong strategic case for improving connectivity between East Lancashire and the Leeds city region, the scheme is currently unaffordable due to its high capital and operating costs. No DfT funding has been allocated for further development.