Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the amount spent by Network Rail to date on its proposal for a new sleeper factory at Bescot Rail Yard to replace the facility at Washwood Heath, Birmingham.

A proposal for a new facility in Bescot is being developed by Network Rail to produce the sleepers necessary for them to maintain, renew, and enhance our rail network.

Network Rail is preparing its response to a Freedom of Information request for information on the cost of the proposed facility, and intends to provide this information shortly.