§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what feasibility studies his Department has evaluated on methods of adapting bridges for the West Coast Main line to enable transportation of freight. [39767]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonIt is for Railtrack to carry out the necessary preparatory work and it has undertaken feasibility studies on upgrading the West Coast Main Line route for both 9'6" containers and piggyback vehicles. The Department is appointing consultants to audit the engineering costs. As part of that audit, we would expect Railtrack to tell our consultants how it plans to carry out necessary work to bridges on the route in the most cost effective way possible and so as to minimise disruption to services.