Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the likely effect of increasing the line speed on the East Coast Main Line to 140mph on capacity to accommodate slower passenger or freight trains on that line.

Network Rail has been asked to start to consider options for increasing line speeds on certain sections of the East Coast Main Line from the current maximum of 125mph to 140mph. This work will identify the impact of these potential changes, if any, upon all users of the line.

Prior to the implementation of any such changes Network Rail will apply the standard rail industry ‘Network Change’ consultation process. This provides all relevant parties the opportunity to fully understand the details of the proposed changes, assess the impact of these changes upon their access rights and make appropriate representations.