Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his timeframe is for completion of improvements to the Hope Valley line.

The Department is updating the business case for the Hope Valley Capacity scheme to secure a ‘Decision to Deliver’. When we are in a position to announce a delivery date, it will be with the assurance that it is value for money and deliverable by that date. We anticipate being in that position within the next year.

Network Rail are undertaking pre-construction planning to enable the scheme to be delivered as quickly as possible. They will be working with the train operators to assess the best way to deliver the scheme with the least disruption to passengers and freight.