Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to link the South Coast to growth corridors in (a) Kent and (b) the large scale-regeneration at Ebbsfleet via High Speed rail; and if he will make a statement.

Ministers have approved the entry of the Kent and East Sussex Coastal Connectivity Scheme to formally enter the Government’s rail enhancements pipeline. The Department and East Sussex County Council are funding the production of a Strategic Outline Business Case, due early 2021. As well as exploring options to create a new link to High Speed 1, this programme is considering options for a range of upgrades to the Marshlink line between Ashford and Hastings.

Network Rail is currently undertaking a study looking at the potential impact on Ebbsfleet and the wider area of the planned London Resort and other planned regeneration on the rail network and we will consider its recommendations when these are available in the new year.