Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment have they made of whether the proposals from Transport for the North for a rail route across the Pennines makes adequate provision for the movement of freight.

The Department has received a number of proposals to support freight capacity across the Pennines including the Trans Pennine route and Skipton to Colne. Officials continue to work closely with TfN and Network Rail on these proposals. We are currently considering next steps on the provision of additional rail freight capacity and capability across the Pennines and expect to make an announcement shortly.