Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the advantages to rail freight and passenger services of the proposed Ely Area Capacity Enhancement and associated improvements to Haughley junction; and what is the benefit-cost ratio for these schemes; and what are their current cost estimates.

The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement was assessed as having a Benefit Cost Ratio of 4.89 against a cost estimate of £489m at Outline Business Case stage, at the point the programme was paused in 2022.

We are focused on prioritising the schemes that will make the greatest difference for passengers and support economic growth as quickly as possible. The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the EACE scheme.