§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate by what amount British Rail's external financing limit will be increased to cover the cost of new Channel tunnel-related rolling stock, freight locomotives, international passenger facilities, track and signalling improvements and maintenance facilities.
§ Mr. RidleyBR envisages that it would need to spend up to £390 million if high speed passenger services are554W provided, or up to about £290 million if conventional speed services are provided. The actual amounts will depend on BR's consideration of each element of the investment on its commercial merits. The expenditure will be spread over several years, largely in the period 1990– to 1992–93. External financing limits for these years have not yet been set. For these reasons it is not possible at this stage to estimate the exact impact on BR's requirements for external finance.
§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the estimated costs of the road improvements necessary to cope with Channel tunnel traffic as outlined in the White Paper.
§ Mr. RidleyThe estimated total cost of the national road improvements specified in the White Paper is £135 million, all of which would have been incurred without a fixed link being built, in order to improve road links to the ferry points. The cost of improving local roads in the area is a matter for Kent county council, which will be submitting proposals for transport supplementary grant in due course.