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Channel Tunnel: Repairs and Maintenance

Asked by Mr Richard HoldenConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 27 October 2025UIN 82996

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has received updated cost estimates for Channel Tunnel container gauge clearance.

Answered by Simon Lightwood

I am aware of industry proposals to enhance Kent routes to ‘W12’, in order to enable more containerised traffic from Europe, which was estimated by Network Rail to cost around £200m. Network Rail has been considering more affordable, incremental gauge clearance proposal as a step towards W12, with estimated costs below £50m. However, any investment decision will be subject to the usual business case process, working with industry, and will need to clearly demonstrate demand for enhanced infrastructure.

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