§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the increase in (a) passenger traffic and (b) freight traffic on the Midland line subsequent to electrification.
§ Mr. FowlerThe information is not available in the form requested. For the joint review of electrification it was assumed that there would be a net growth of 16 per cent. in passenger traffic on inter-city services up to the year 2013. As explained in the report, certain assumptions about the effects of journey time improvements, fares levels and general economic growth were made in order to arrive at this figure. It does not follow that the electrification of a particular line would produce an identical result.
The electrification review did not allow for an increase in freight traffic following electrification because it was considered that most rail freight traffic would be relatively insensitive to the speed improvements permitted by electrification. The benefits of electrification to the freight business lie primarily in the cost reductions which flow from the improved asset utilisation following electrification.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of British Railways and officers of the rail trade unions to discuss investment for the necessary improvements to the Midland line prior to electrification.
§ Mr. FowlerI am aware of the improvements that the board considers to be necessary before any electrification of the Midland main line. I would be prepared to consider any investment proposals that would require my authorisation.