East West Rail Line: Electrification
2026-05-31 · Department for Transport · HL425 · Official question
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of providing full electrification of the East West Rail route before it opens to traffic, compared with the estimated cost of providing full electrification five years after it opens.
Answer
As set out in East West Rail’s Spring 2026 consultation, the Government has committed to the discontinuous electrification of East West Rail, which involves a lower capital cost whilst minimising construction and environmental impacts.