Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the cost of electrifying the railway line between Crewe and Holyhead.

Although the previous government committed to the electrification of this line under ‘Network North’, no funding was ever made available to begin exploring the costs and benefits of such an enhancement. As such we do not have a current estimate of the cost.

At least £445 million has been set aside for rail improvements in Wales as part of the 2025 Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy, marking the beginning of a long-term UK Government commitment to modernise Welsh railways as recently announced by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister has pledged that the UK Government will collaborate with the Welsh Government to deliver all the projects outlined in Transport for Wales’ vision for rail across Wales and the Borders, including North Wales Mainline electrification, as quickly as possible.

The Wales Rail Board will advise the UK and Welsh governments on the strategic prioritisation of future enhancements, and further UK Government funding allocations beyond the £445m already announced will be confirmed at future Spending Reviews.