To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the planned west coast main line improvements. (243223)

The estimated full cost for the upgrade of the west coast main line remains £9.9 billion as set in the 2003 Government Strategy for the route. £8.8 billion has been spent to date and £1 billion is being provided for the 2009 to 2014 period for power supplies, Stafford and Bletchley works.