HC Deb 22 January 1996 vol 270 c29W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current estimated cost for the complete refurbishment of the west coast main line between London and Glasgow. [9926]

Mr. Watts

The overall cost of the west coast main line core investment programme has been estimated at about £1 billion.

Mr. Chris Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport where the signalling technology proposed for the modernisation of the west coast main line is currently installed; and what assessment he has made of its operational liability. [10309]

Mr. Watts

Railtrack informs me that in-cab signalling technology is currently employed in differing forms in various parts of the world, but is not identical to the system planned for the west coast main line. For this reason, Railtrack intends to let further development contracts for the signalling system during the first quarter of this year and expects that a reliable signalling system can be developed within the time necessary for the modernisation works.