§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what actions have been taken to deal with the consequences of the increase in rail traffic in the London area with the opening of the Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. David MitchellBritish Rail will be constructing an international passenger terminal at Waterloo to handle those trains terminating in London. It has engaged independent transport consultants to advise it of the impact on the surrounding highway network, and it is consulting London Regional Transport about the impact on the public transport system. Among the measures proposed are a reorganisation of traffic flows within the station and the construciton of additional direct access routes between the international terminal and the Underground. British Rail also plans, subject to appraisal of the necessary investment, to run through services to other destinations in the United Kingdom via the west London line, which will be improved accordingly.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the chairman of British Rail about very fast through train services from the United Kingdom to the European continent via the Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. David MitchellIt is the responsibility of British Rail, in conjunction with its continental partners, to plan the pattern of rail services via the Channel tunnel, and to put forward investment proposals. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have discussed the pattern of services in general terms with the chairman from time to time. I expect to receive soon the board's report on the need for additional rail capacity in the longer term between London and the tunnel, and hope that it will be published shortly thereafter.