Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 29 September (HL3702), what timetable they have set for considering the case for improving rail connections between Hull and Sheffield; whether that consideration will include (1) the issue of electrification, and (2) the assessment of proposals for private investment in electrifying the railway lines serving Hull.

This Government is committed to ensuring Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) services reach Hull. The recently published Great British Railways Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Strategy sets out the Government’s intention to progressively move away from diesel towards electric traction, principally through battery-electric trains with targeted electrification as seen with the announcement of new battery bi-mode trains as part of the TransPennine Route Upgrade.

Regarding the issue of electrification improving connections, journey time savings for battery trains between Hull, Leeds and Manchester would be the same as under full electrification. Full electrification would not deliver additional journey time benefits without wider infrastructure enhancements.

The Department will continue to consider the case for potential future rail enhancements through its established investment processes, taking into account of strategic fit, affordability, value for money and deliverability in line with the Green Book.