Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff in (a) his Department and (b) Network Rail are working on Network Rail’s proposal to build a new sleeper factory at Bescot Rail Yard to replace its 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.

Approximately twenty Network Rail staff are working on this proposal in some way. Their work currently sums to the equivalent of five full-time staff.

Development of the proposed facility is the responsibility of Network Rail. No Department for Transport officials are directly involved in the proposal.