Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on funding for reinstatement of the Levenmouth Rail Link as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region bid.

The proposals agreed under the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal were all originated by the Deal partners and I can confirm that it was not a project put forward by the local partners as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Deal.

The UK Government’s contributions to City Deals focus on projects that fall in reserved policy areas. Transport policy is a devolved matter and within the City Deal, the rail link would have been an investment for the Scottish Government to consider.

Any future investment in the rail link would be a decision for the Scottish Government, who have responsibility for rail investment in Scotland.