Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the Speed to the West initiative in the last three months; and what the outcomes of those discussions has been.

The Secretary of State regularly meets with stakeholders from across the rail industry, including Network Rail. Such discussions may include reference to rail services in the South West.

Officials from the Department for Transport have met with Network Rail to discuss how the findings of the Speed to the West study might be considered as part of the planning process for Control Period 6 (2019 – 2024).