Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 20 July 2017, HCWS160, on rail infrastructure funding: 2009-24, whether the upgrade of the Brighton Mainline is one of the new enhancement schemes for which funding will be available for early-stage development; and if he will make a statement.

The Government recognises the importance of the Brighton Mainline upgrade proposals, which are at an early stage of development. We will continue to support Network Rail in further developing and refining the proposals, including identifying any development funding that is required during the period 2019-2024.