Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what date Network Rail will cease production of railway sleepers at its factory in Washwood Heath, Birmingham; whether there is capacity to extend production beyond this date; and if he will make a statement.

A proposal for a new facility in Bescot is being developed by Network Rail to produce the sleepers necessary for them to maintain, renew, and enhance our rail network. The facility is intended to make up the shortfall when an existing facility at Washwood Heath is closed to become an HS2 depot.

Network Rail is a customer of Cemex who own and operate the facility at Washwood Heath. Production is planned to cease at this facility on 14 June 2019. The HS2 programme requires vacant possession of the site in August 2019 to enable construction works to proceed.

I have no plans to make a statement about the proposed facility.