Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential effect of an improved rail service on (a) social mobility and (b) levelling up in (i) Shrewsbury and (ii) Shropshire.

The Government recognises the potential value of enhanced rail connectivity for the people and economy of Shrewsbury and Shropshire.

We have received a Strategic Outline Business Case for improvements to the railway between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury and will continue to work with the scheme’s promoters to consider whether schemes such as this or wider aspirations for an hourly direct Shrewsbury to London train service, would represent good value for public money, are affordable, and aligned to the Government’s strategic priorities.