Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many single track kilometres of main line railway have been approved for completion in 2023 and beyond; and where are these railways located.

The Government is continuing to invest at record levels in rail enhancements across England and Wales with increased budgets from 2022-23 to 2024-25, and a renewed focus on the Midlands and the North, to grow and level up the economy and provide equality of opportunity as we build back better.

22.5km of railway were re-opened to traffic in 2021 under the Dartmoor Line scheme, the first reopening under the Restoring Your Railway manifesto commitment.

46.5km of railway are planned to be opened in 2022; including 42km in tunnel under the Crossrail / Elizabeth Line scheme, and 4.5km under the Extension of the Gospel Oak to Barking Line to Barking Riverside scheme.

347km of railway have been approved for completion in 2023 and beyond. This includes 225km for Phase One (London to Birmingham) and 60km for Phase 2a (Birmingham to Crewe) under the HS2 scheme; and 62km for Stage One of the East West Rail Connection, to extend the existing Oxford to Bicester line to Bletchley. We will also reinstate many more kilometres of track in future through the Restoring Your Railway Fund.