Rolling Stock: East Coast Railway Line

Norman Baker
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what process is being followed to determine the specifications for the new rolling stock planned for deployment on the east coast mainline; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Tom Harris
The next major new rolling stock deployment on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) will be the Intercity Express Programme (IEP). The specification for IEP was set out in the Department for Transport’s Invitation to Tender, published in November. This is to achieve maximum benefits for passenger and value for money for taxpayers. It incorporates ‘best-in-class’ features of modern trains plus targets for improving these.

The Thameslink Programme will also see the introduction of a new fleet of suburban vehicles, operating to commuter destinations on the East Coast Main Line. The Department will be initiating the procurement process later this year.