§ 17. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made with the electrification of the railways to Southend.
§ The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Harold Watkinson)The British Transport Commission tells me that the electrification of the railway from Shenfield to Southend is now nearly complete and it is expected that through electric trains between Liverpool Street and Southend will start running on 31st December.
As regards electrification of the line from Fenchurch Street to Tilbury and Southend, which is included in the Railway Modernisation Plan, detailed planning is proceeding. Contracts have been let for certain preliminary engineering works and work has started at several sites.