HC Deb 16 January 1989 vol 145 cc6-8
5. Mr. McFall

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the Channel tunnel.

The Minister for Public Transport (Mr. Michael Portillo)

Construction progress is a matter for Eurotunnel. I understand that, following some early delays, better progress is being maintained.

Mr. McFall

The Minister will be aware of the comments on 11 January of the construction director of Transmanche Link who said that, at the English end alone, the project is running two months behind after its first year. Although we are mindful that conditions at the French end are much more severe and have been compounded by the collapse of a sub-contracting firm and late deliveries, what chance is there now for the Government to meet the advertised date of 15 May 1993 for completion of the tunnel?

Mr. Portillo

It is not for me to comment on that, but the hon. Gentleman should bear in mind that the tunnelling is only one aspect of the project. There is also the work at either end on the major construction sites. He will know that progress at the Cheriton terminal and at the BR freight inspection facility at Dollands Moor, Castle Hill tunnel portal and Holywell Coombe cut and cover tunnel is satisfactory.

Seven kilometres of the service tunnel have been completed on the British side and the rates per month are at a satisfactory level. On the French side, the service tunnel is also now in much better ground.

Mr. Sumberg

If the Channel tunnel is to succeed, the benefits must be nationwide. Does my hon. Friend accept that there is concern in the north of England that its development will increase the south-east drift? What can my hon. Friend say to my constituents who have expressed concern about that?

Mr. Portillo

I am aware of that concern and I am as concerned as my hon. Friend to ensure that every region of the country benefits from the Channel tunnel. That is why the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 contains a section that requires British Rail to prepare a plan by the end of next year for its freight and passenger services to every region and why consultation on that is proceeding.

Mr. Tony Banks

Is the Minister aware of the strategic significance of the location of the second terminal for the Channel tunnel? There is much regret on both sides of the House that British Rail has decided that it will be at King's Cross and not at Stratford in the East End. Is he further aware that there is considerable support for Stratford and, therefore, opposition to King's Cross by Camden, Islington and the London borough of Newham? Is it not appropriate for the Minister, as I know that he is a reasonable young fellow, to call in British Rail's decision and to hold a proper inquiry, both with regard to the location of the second London terminal and the route through Kent?

Mr. Portillo

There are divided councils, both Conservative and Labour-controlled, and some Labour Members as well as some of my hon. Friends have been lobbying in favour of King's Cross, having taken the view that it provides better facilities for the north of England. I do not intend to hold an inquiry. British Rail's proposal that King's Cross should be the second terminal is subject to the approval of Ministers and to that of Parliament because of the requirement that a private Bill be put into effect.

Mr. Gale

My hon. Friend will be aware of the considerable concern expressed by Kent Members over the failure of British Rail to provide for the future of an adequate rail link between the Channel tunnel and the rest of the country. The rail service to north Kent is depressingly slow, dirty and expensive, and the prospect facing commuters from north-east Kent of an additional four trains per hour coming into an already overloaded south-London system is quite frightening. When my hon. Friend next meets the chairman of British Rail, will he impress upon him the need for investment in the north Kent line, and especially for proper provision of a link to the tunnel?

Mr. Portillo

I understand fully the point that my hon. Friend makes. It is one that has been considered extremely carefully by Kent county council, which understands the risk of proceeding with a Channel tunnel service without improvements to the existing lines or without the provision of a new line. I say to my hon. Friend that the darkest hour is just before dawn—

Mr. Tony Banks

I wish that I had thought of that.

Mr. Portillo

I believe that British Rail has some important plans affecting the north Kent line.

6. Mrs. Golding

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that freight traffic from non-south-eastern regions has competitive access to the Channel tunnel.

Mr. Portillo

I expect British Rail to address this question in the plan which it will be publishing later this year in compliance with section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act.

Mrs. Golding

Will the Minister assure the people of north Staffordshire that they will not be neglected? There are fears in Stoke-on-Trent about problems affecting the railway. Many of my constituents complain about the inadequacies of the service. These include having to stand while travelling from Stoke to London and from London to Stoke. They fear that the rundown in the passenger service signals a rundown of other services that run through Stoke. There are fears for the future and I ask the Minister to address himself to the issue.

Mr. Portillo

The hon. Lady's original question was directed to what will happen once the Channel tunnel comes into operation. I ask her to address herself to that, and I say again that section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act requires British Rail to consult in every region so that by the end of the year it can produce its exact plans for freight services to the regions and for passenger services. British Rail is involved in working parties in every region, including the one which the hon. Lady represents in part.

Mr. Fry

Does my hon. Friend accept that one of the ways of assisting the regions to benefit from the Channel tunnel is the establishment of freight trans-shipment centres? In the event of any proposals being put to him, will he bear in mind that Northamptonshire is especially well placed, being well set with rail communications and being on the main route across the country to Felixstowe by road?

Mr. Portillo

My hon. Friend is right to say that the provision of freight terminals and inland clearance depots needs to be examined in the consultation process to which I have referred. I hope that my hon. Friend will involve himself in the consultations and make the good point that he has made to me to British Rail so that it can include it in its report by the end of the year.

Mr. Foulkes

Has the Minister seen the representations by my hon. Friend the Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Mr. McKelvey) and myself to his distinguished predecessor that the ideal site for a freight trans-shipment centre for the Strathclyde region would be Kilmarnock? If he has seen the representation, he will recall that his predecessor promised that he would discuss the matter with British Rail. Have discussions taken place? If so, what is the outcome?

Mr. Portillo

If my predecessor gave such an assurance, I am sure that it would have been put into effect. As I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Fry), if the hon. Gentleman has a strong case in favour of a certain site, he must ensure that it is taken into account by British Rail by making representations or by ensuring that local authorities and others make representations.