Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the proposed Ely area capacity enhancement project will make adequate provision for any increase in demand for freight train paths from East Coast ports to (1) the Midlands, and (2) the North of England.

The proposed Ely Area Capacity Enhancement programme is part of a wider route strategy to unlock additional freight paths to serve East Coast ports. It would provide capacity for long-term growth which would be realised in stages, as this programme and wider route investment is delivered. In the short-term Network Rail has temporarily increased the number of freight paths available from the Port of Felixstowe.