Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to commence the electrification of the Crewe to Holyhead railway line.

The previous government committed to electrification of this line, however no funding was ever made available to begin exploring the costs and benefits of such an enhancement.

This government has recognised the lack of investment in Welsh railways and made a real commitment, via the recent Spending Review, of at least £445 million over the next ten years for the country’s long-term rail infrastructure needs. We will work with the Welsh Government to agree how this is applied to routes across Wales and the Borders.