HC Deb 24 April 1989 vol 151 cc455-8W
12. Mr. Riddick

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the implications of the Channel tunnel for the Yorkshire area; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

I have received a number especially when I attended a conference in York on the Channel tunnel.

I believe that it can benefit all parts of the United Kingdom, including Yorkshire.

20. Mr. Gow

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the date on which the Channel tunnel will open.

Mr. Portillo

Eurotunnel has recently announced a new target completion date of 15 June 1993.

26. Mr. John Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last discussed with British Rail routes for freight traffic from the Channel tunnel to the regions; and if he will make a statement.

29. Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last discussed with British Rail routes for freight traffic from the Channel tunnel to the regions; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

The routeing of Channel tunnel rail freight traffic is entirely a matter for British Rail. Its proposals for services to the regions will be set out in the plan it has to produce by the end of this year under section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act.

27. Mr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to improve communications to the south-west of England so that the area can benefit from the Channel tunnel.

Mr. Portillo

Rail access between the south-west and the Channel tunnel is the responsibility of British Rail. It is required by section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act to publish a plan by the end of the year setting out its proposals for international passenger and freight services serving various parts of the country. It has not yet completed the regional consultations in preparation for this plan. Our national road planning takes into account the requirements of road traffic to and from the tunnel. A review of the trunk road programme is in progress, and we expect to make an announcement in the spring.

Mrs. Peacock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet Yorkshire regional managers of British Rail to discuss the implications for Yorkshire of the Channel tunnel.

Mr. Portillo

I meet British Rail's regional managers from time to time. They will, I am sure, contribute to BR's plan for Channel tunnel freight and passenger services, which British Rail is obliged to publish by the end of the year in compliance with section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987.

Sir David Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate the general line of route of his proposed new road from Southampton to the entrance of the Channel tunnel; and whether it will be a single or dual carriageway.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

There are no firm proposals. As part of our current review of the trunk road programme we are considering whether there should be a study of the need for additional capacity from the Channel tunnel and the M20 westwards to relieve existing roads. We hope to make an announcement about the outcome of the review by early summer.

34. Mr. Gerald Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy not to approve proposals from British Rail for every passenger and all items of freight from and to the Channel tunnel to all destinations in the United Kingdom to pass through central London.

Mr. Portillo

BR's passenger and freight services through the Channel tunnel must operate on a commercial basis. Subject to that and to parliamentary approval for new lines where needed, the routes used by British Rail for its passenger and freight traffic are the responsibility of the British Railways Board. They do not require Government approval.

39. Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further representations he has received on the need for a direct link to the Channel tunnel for the north and Scotland.

Mr. Portillo

I have received some representations on the need for good communications between the Channel tunnel and the North and Scotland. There will be direct links from the tunnel into the United Kingdom road and rail networks. Out national roads planning takes account of the requirements of road traffic to and from the tunnel. Representations on rail are best made to the working groups which British Rail has set up in each region as part of its planning for international passenger and freight services.