§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has met representatives of Tayside and Grampian regional councils to discuss the financing of the electrification of the main east coast line between Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen; if he plans to do so in the future; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanMinisters have not met representatives from Tayside and Grampian regional councils to discuss the electrification of the Edinburgh to Aberdeen line. The councils should approach British Rail, as it is for BR to bring forward proposals if it considers there is a case for electrification and that it merits sufficient priority within its investment programme.
§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total mileage of the United Kingdom's mainline railway network; how many of these miles have been electrified to date; and how many miles are currently programmed to be electrified.
§ Mr. FreemanInterCity mainline services currently operate over 3,328 route miles of which 1,178 route miles are electrified. InterCity has not put forward any further plans for mainline electrification.