Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects electrification of TransPennine routes to be completed.

Network Rail continues to work towards delivering electrification as specified. This is an extremely challenging programme and we are working closely with Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation to ensure successful delivery.

As with any programme of this ambition and complexity, the programme is kept constantly under review.

Timescales for elements of infrastructure programmes that will be delivered further into the future are naturally less certain. This reflects the time required for planning and procurement, for modifying bridges and tunnels to provide sufficient clearances and for securing connections to the National Grid for the power for the overhead lines.