Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to re-open any of the railway lines closed during the Beeching cuts for either passengers or freight.

Following the Chancellor’s announcement in July 2024, the Restoring Your Railway (RYR) programme is being brought to a close. RYR-originated projects already in delivery will continue to be delivered but projects not yet in delivery are subject to the Department’s capital spending portfolio review. The Transport Secretary announced this review of the previous government's transport plans to ensure that our transport infrastructure portfolio drives economic growth and delivers value for money for taxpayers. Beyond the RYR programme, we believe it is for local transport authorities to consider whether particular transport projects are the best way to meet local needs and, if so, whether they wish to give them high priority from local budgets in the first instance.