Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026 to Question 118165 on the East West Rail Line business case, what progress her Department has made on (a) developing the business case and (b) refining the project; and when her Department expects planning consent to be determined.

Following its latest public consultation, which closed on 9 June 2026, the East West Rail Company is now considering feedback as it refines proposals for the project in conjunction with the Department.

An Outline Business Case is being prepared to support Government decision-making on the project ahead of an application for a Development Consent Order, which is expected to be submitted next year.