§ Lord Swinfenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any plans to alter the route of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link as announced by the Department of Transport last October.
The Minister of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)The Government remain committed to their preferred route corridor announced last October, approaching London from the East along the lines proposed by Ove Arup. We have no intention of reconsidering other options rejected at that time. We have asked BR to define a route along our preferred corridor and expect firm proposals from them by the end of the year, with alternative local options where appropriate. Once we have considered the BR proposals, we will announce a detailed route for public consultation, and will undertake a full environmental impact assessment.