Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of the Growth Track 360 proposals on rail improvements; and if he will make a statement.

I welcome the publication of the North Wales and Mersey Dee Rail Task Force’s ‘Growth Track 360’ prospectus, which sets out an ambitious programme of desirable improvements to rail infrastructure in North Wales and across the border into the North West of England. My officials have met with representatives from the Task Force to advise them on a suitable approach to developing their initial proposals. I now look to the Task Force to take forward prioritisation of the most promising options for enhancing the railways in North Wales against clear local and regional objectives, and to identify possible funding.