Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the potential merits of making improvements to the Shrewsbury-Black Country-Birmingham rail route.

Midlands Connect has submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case outlining its proposals to upgrade the railway line between Shrewsbury and Birmingham, which includes an economic case.

My officials are considering the case, and an update on new rail enhancement schemes will be provided in due course.