Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to seek private capital investment for East-West Rail.

The Department works with the East West Rail Company and other Government departments to explore opportunities for the delivery of enhancements through using third party funding and financing options. The Department has been clear with East West Rail Company that securing third party funding is an essential element of delivering the scheme to ensure that the burden on the taxpayer is reduced as far as possible.