Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve the Birmingham to Shrewsbury (via Telford) railway line.

Midlands Connect, the sub-national transport body which researches, develops and progresses transport projects in the Midlands, are refreshing the Business Case for line speed improvements to this route. My officials are in regular contact with Midlands Connect to support them in this work, and I expect to receive a Business Case later this year.