Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the London and South Coast Rail Corridor Study, published on 2 March 2017, what further work his Department has agreed should be undertaken in relation to Network Rail's plans to upgrade the Brighton Main Line through its proposals in the Croydon area; and what estimate he has made of the time that will be taken to carry out that work.

My Department is working closely with Network Rail on the next phase of development of the Brighton Mainline upgrade programme. This involves undertaking further detailed engineering design and planning work, and preparation of an Outline Business Case. Subject to available funding, and confirmation of an agreed programme of activity, we expect this will take around two years.