Modernisation Plan

HC Deb 03 February 1960 vol 616 cc138-9W

Sir L. Ropner

asked the Minister of Transport by what date the British Railways Modernisation Plan will be completed.

Mr. Marples

The original Railway Modernisation Plan was formulated late in 1954 and started in 1955. It was made up of schemes capable of being started within five years and completed within fifteen years. The British Transport Commission's Re-appraisal of the Plan (Cmnd. 813) published in July, 1959, proposes substantial acceleration of certain schemes in order to achieve by 1963 benefits which would otherwise not have accrued until four or five years later. Other parts of the Plan may not be completed, or the benefits may not be secured, for several years after 1963.