Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on proposals for the extension of the High-Speed 1 rail line from Ashford International Station to Hastings and Eastbourne via Rye.

We have approved the entry of the Kent and East Sussex Coastal Connectivity Scheme to formally enter the Government’s rail enhancements pipeline. The Department and East Sussex County Council are funding the production of a Strategic Outline Business Case, due by the end of 2020. As well as exploring options to create a new link to High Speed 1, this programme is considering options for a range of upgrades to the Marshlink line between Ashford and Hastings.