£240m of rail improvements announced for East Coast Main Line

The East Coast Main Line is one of the UK's busiest rail routes. Credit: ITV

The Department for Transport says the full £9.4bn programme of improvements to the rail network published today will meet the needs of intercity passengers, commuters and freight up to the end of this decade.

The programme of investment will be announced later today and will be discussed at today's meeting of the Cabinet being held outside of London.

The "High Level Output Specification" will be funded in part from fare rises announced in 2010 and from future efficiency savings from operating costs.

The East Coast Main Line carries 18 million passengers each year, connecting Scotland to the North East, Yorkshire and London.