Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what timetable is planned for the electrification of the Barking to Gospel Oak line; what forecast he has made of the cost of that electrification; and if he will make a statement.

Network Rail proposes to deliver electrification of the Barking to Gospel Oak line by summer 2017, in time for the new four-car electric trains ordered by TfL to be introduced in 2018. Network Rail is still assessing the detailed cost of the electrification and gauge enhancement scheme between Thameshaven/Tilbury Docks and the Midland Main Line via Barking and Gospel Oak and the forecast cost will be provided to DfT in due course.