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<p>The Department for Transport is committed to improving journey for passengers along
the East Coast Main Line in Control Period (CP6: 2019-2024) both through infrastructure
works and the introduction of improved trains. From December 2018, new Intercity Express
Trains will increase the number of seats along the East Coast Main Line. As these
new trains continue to be introduced they will reduce journey times, increase capacity
and improve the customer experience.</p><p> </p><p>The Statement of Funds Available
for CP6 includes funding to continue to take forward the enhancements that now span
both Control Period 5 (CP5: 2014-2019) and CP6, including schemes on the East Coast
to improve capacity and reduce journey times. In line with the new process for enhancements
these schemes will continue to be subject to ongoing consideration to ensure they
deliver the best results for both rail users and taxpayers.</p><p> </p><p>We need
to ensure investment best addresses the needs of passengers and freight, and that
funding commitments appropriately reflect the stage of development of enhancements.
This is why we’ll be using a new process to take forward enhancements.</p><p> </p><p>The
new process will ensure that enhancements are only committed for development, design
or delivery when they have been properly worked through, to avoid the problems of
the past, where schemes were committed to too early. We will confirm the specific
infrastructure enhancements are committed at which stage in due course.</p><p> </p>
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