§ 21. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport to make a full statement on capital development approved for railway improvement, giving details of major schemes and areas involved and priorities already agreed for construction work.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Commission have furnished me with a list of the works, each estimated to cost more than £100,000, now in progress and so far authorised for 1954 and 1955. As it is very long I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. SmithIs the Minister aware that Preston there has been manufactured the latest electrical plant and electric traction in the world, and has not the time arrived when some of this plant should be used in areas where manufacture has been carried on for so long, in order to achieve modernisation?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI do not think that that arises out of this Question.
§ Following is the list:
§ RAILWAY WORKS NOW IN PROGRESS OR AUTHORISED, EACH ESTIMATED TO COST OVER £100,000.
| Amount Authorised £000's | |
| EASTERN REGION | |
| Potters Bar: Reconstruction and widening—Stages I-II | 411 |
| Bramwith: Reconstruction of bridges over River Don and River Dun Navigation | 148 |
| Ipswich: Modernisation of motive power depot | 291 |
| Manchester-Sheffield-Wath: Elecfication | 10,983 |
| Woodhead: New double line tunnel | 5,025 |
| LONDON MIDLAND REGION | |
| Stonebridge Park Power Station: Conversion to 50 cycles | 785 |
| Willesden: New carriage shed and sidings | 820 |
| Formby: | |
| Closing of Power Station | 518 |
| Improved goods terminal equipment | 108 |
| Dalton Tunnel: Relining | 125 |
| Calverton Colliery: Branch line | 1,018 |
| Liverpool, Brunswick Dock: S. P. D. Depot | 160 |
| Leicester M.P.D.: Modernisation | 182 |
| Euston: Power signalling | 332 |
| St. Pancras, King's Road: New R.M. Depot | 128 |
| Liverpool, Huskisson: Goods terminal | 195 |
| Northwich: Winnington branch line | 200 |
| Wallerscote: Sidings for I.C.I. | |
| Derby: Renewal of station roof, etc. | 214 |
| Crewe: Apprentices' training school | 171 |
| Derby Loco.: Reconstruction of Stores Building | 174 |
| Birmingham, New Street: Reconstruction of Bridges 2 and 3 | 122 |
| Liverpool Exchange: Renewal of roof | 107 |
| Birkenhead M.P.D.: Modernisation | 115 |
| Whitehaven: Tunnel relining | 280 |
| Dukinfield: Alterations, etc., in connection with changed user | 115 |
| Amount Authorised £000's | |
| NORTH EASTERN REGION | |
| Tyneside electrified area: Renewals | 178 |
| Grangetown: Rail access to I.C.I. New Works | 175 |
| Grangetown: Rail access to Dorman Long's Ore Plant | 114 |
| Newcastle: | |
| Colour light re-signalling scheme (Est.) | 516 |
| Replacement of glass in station roofs | 215 |
| SCOTTISH REGION | |
| Oakley: | |
| Stage I—Additional facilities for coal traffic | 157 |
| Stage II—70' turntable | 35 |
| Bathgate: Stage II—New engine shed, machine shop, etc. | 132 |
| Thornton: Stage I—Part 1, new marshalling yard to provide additional facilities | 375 |
| Dumfries: Concentration of signal boxes | 169 |
| Glasgow (Central) Underground: Colour light signalling | 148 |
| Glasgow (Cowlairs): Concentration of signal boxes | 339 |
| Scottish Region: Signalling developments (Five Year Plan) | 100 |
| Glasgow, St. Rollox: Additional facilities for repairs | 133 |
| SOUTHERN REGION | |
| Folkestone Warren: Sea defence works | 854 |
| London Suburban Electrified Area: Adoption of standard frequency of 50 cycles | 11,547 |
| Balham: | |
| Station reconstruction—Stage I | 102 |
| Ten-car train scheme: Lengthening of platforms, etc., Stage I | 559 |
| Battersea Park, Bricklayers' Arms Jct. to Coulsdon: Colour light signalling | 2,095 |
| WESTERN REGION | |
| Southall: Modernisation of motive power depot | 282 |
| Paddington-Southall: Resignalling —Stage I | 245 |
| Sudbrook: New plant at pumping station | 158 |
| Portishead: Reproduction of station, etc., facilities on new site | 190 |
| Swindon: Telephone Exchange | 166 |
| Bristol (Ashton Gate) Storage accommodation for S.P.D. Ltd. | 100 |
| Gloucester (Over Jet.): Reconstruction of underbridge | 146 |
| Birmingham-Bristol: Blanketing and drainage | 128 |