Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to pursue bilateral rail agreements with (a) other European countries and (b) the Republic of Ireland in addition to those already under development with France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Department for Transport officials maintain regular contact with their European counterparts to discuss a range of matters in relation to the operation of cross-border rail services. Ministers meet with their European counterparts from time to time and discuss a range of issues relating to our common interest in continued cross-border services.

As set out in the Government’s White Paper, The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the EU and the UK have agreed that the UK will pursue bilateral agreements with France, Belgium and the Netherlands to ensure the continued smooth functioning and operation of services through the Channel Tunnel, including Eurostar, and with Ireland to do the same for the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise line.

The Department does not currently have any plans to pursue bilateral agreements for cross-border rail services with other EU countries. However, the Government supports the development of new services through the Channel Tunnel and, as such, the Department will keep under review the need for further such bilateral agreements as proposals for new routes arise.