§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies have been made of the improvement, reintroduction or new building of passenger rail routes that would provide rapid inter-urban transport between travel generation centres adjacent, or with easy access, to the M25 motorway.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Heathrow access and London south-west quadrant study has considered options for new rail links within range of the M25. That study is being considered in the wider context of transport and planning issues in London. I understand that some other ideas for rail projects adjacent to the M25 have been proposed outside the Department. In general however, since for most users the M25 is a relatively small part of their overall journey, rail links which simply connected towns close to that motorway would not provide a very attractive alternative.