§ Lord Palmerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps would have to be taken to enable the United Kingdom to meet the 2005 and 2010 European Union targets for biofuels for road transport. [HL4562]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamThe Biofuels Directive requires member states to set their own indicative targets for sales of biofuels for road transport in 2005 and 2010. The Government will be consulting early next year on possible targets for the UK and on what steps it might take to meet them. Channel Tunnel Rail Link
Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Strategic Rail Authority is seeking proposals for through passenger rail services on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to serve Dover and Folkestone; and [HL4572]
What risk assessment has been made of the operation of higher speed trains on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in respect of Shakespeare Cliff tunnel; and whether they will place a copy of such work in the Library of the House; and [HL4573]
What discussions have taken place between train manufacturers and the Strategic Rail Authority concerning the manufacture of passenger rolling stock suitable for operating on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and Shakespeare Cliff tunnel; and what conclusions have been reached. [HL4574]
8WA
§ Lord Davies of OldhamThe Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) consulted earlier this year on options for Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) services to a variety of destinations including Folkestone and Dover. The authority is now assessing these in the context of an integrated Kent franchise which would combine CTRL domestic and other Kent services. It expects to hold a further public consultation shortly.
The possibility of building end doors or escape hatches into the trains to allow emergency evacuation in Shakespeare Tunnel has been discussed with manufacturers. But this needs to be reconciled with structural safety requirements and air pressure pulses associated with high speed running and a satisfactory solution has yet to be identified. The SRA nevertheless continues to work with the industry and, subject to a way forward being identified, Dover remains a possible destination for CTRL domestic services.
The operation of CTRL domestic services nevertheless remains dependent on the approval of a satisfactory business case within the SRA's affordability constraints.