Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 29 September (HL3702), what assessment they have made of whether running battery-electric trains on the existing railway between Hull and Leeds fulfils their September 2024 commitment to electrify and improve line speed between Hull and Leeds and between Hull and Sheffield; and, if not, when they expect that commitment to be bet.

As set out in my answer of 29 September 2026 (HL3702), this Government is committed to ensuring Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) services reach Hull. The recently published Great British Railways Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Strategy sets out the Government’s intention to progressively move away from diesel towards electric traction, principally through battery-electric trains with targeted electrification as seen with the announcement of new battery bi-mode trains as part of the TransPennine Route Upgrade.

The Department will continue to consider the case for potential future rail enhancements through its established investment processes, taking into account of strategic fit, affordability, value for money and deliverability in line with the Green Book.