HL Deb 24 July 1986 vol 479 cc481-2WA
Baroness Burton of Coventry

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are yet in a position to announce a decision on the British Railways Board's proposal to invest in a new rail link to Stansted Airport.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)

The Government have today approved the board's investment in a new electrified spur from the London-Cambridge main line to a new station beneath the airport terminal. It was made clear in the Airports Policy White Paper that the Government would be pleased to approve a rail link to Stansted Airport if there was a commercial case for providing one. BR have shown that there is. They intend to run the fast airport services with new rolling stock. This is included in the investment approval given. Subject to getting the necessary statutory powers to construct the rail link, the board are sure that they can provide an attractive, reliable and commercially viable rail service to the airport.