Following the recent news that the work to electrify the Midland Mainline, which runs through the constituency, will be restarted, on Thursday 29th October, I asked the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, to ensure the branch line that passes through Alfreton and Langley Mill stations is included in the plans. I welcome the Secretary of State’s commitment to continue to explore this option. However, I will continue to call on the Government to make sure all parts of the East Midlands will be able to take advantage of the potential investment, improved journey times and local job creation.
Nigel Mills MP: I welcome the unpausing of work on electrifying the Midland mainline. As most of that work will slip into the next control period, will the Secretary of State ensure that the line through Langley Mill and Alfreton is also electrified? That project has a robust business case and will improve the resilience of the whole line and services to my constituency.
Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin: As a member of the Public Accounts Committee, my hon. Friend heard evidence a few weeks ago from the chief executive of Network Rail. His point about looking at all the lines as a total is important, and I will bear his comments in mind.