Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential economic merits of improving the Shrewsbury-Black Country-Birmingham rail line.

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.