Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on (a) a potential City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement in the North East and (b) an assessment of the potential merits of reopening the Leamside line.

The Government considers that the re-opening of the Leamside Line is best considered by North East partners as part of a future city region settlement. This settlement remains under negotiation and my Department is working closely with the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities as part of this process.

I expect to receive a locally-led business case in the Autumn, at which time my officials will consider the potential benefits of re-opening the Line.