Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on improving (a) journey times, (b) capacity and (c) reliability on the east coast main line between England and Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
The Secretary of State recognises the importance of the East Coast Main Line for communities and businesses and holds regular discussions with the Scottish Government. The Department is investing £780m in Control Period 6 to upgrade the East Coast Main Line. In conjunction with the introduction of new trains for London North Eastern Railway (LNER), additional LNER services to Edinburgh from Autumn 2019, and Transpennine Express plans to extend its Liverpool to Newcastle service to Edinburgh from December 2019, together this will improve journey times, reliability and capacity between England and Scotland. Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan for 2019 to 2024 for the London North Eastern and East Midlands Route explains how this investment from the Statement of Funds Available will be used to improve the resilience of the East Coast Main Line.