Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the letter from the Minister of State for Transport to Sara Britcliffe MP on 6 May (ref MC/288646), what plans they have to publish the terms of reference of the proposals to reinstate the rail link between Skipton and Colne and enhance capacity for rail freight on existing trans-Pennine routes; who will carry out this work; and how long the work will take.

Officials are preparing proposals for consideration and agreement by Ministers for further development work, on both the possible reinstatement of the rail link between Skipton and Colne, primarily as a passenger route, and options for enhancement of gauge and capacity for rail freight on existing trans-Pennine routes.

Further information about the scope, expected duration, and who will be carrying out this work will be available as and when such proposals are agreed.