HC Deb 18 February 1998 vol 306 c644W
Mrs. Lait

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the projected increase against current levels in freight use of the Channel Tunnel once the high-speed rail link is opened. [29495]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Channel Tunnel Rail Link will have the potential to be used by high speed freight services, but its main contribution to increased rail freight will come through the capacity that its use by Eurostar services will release on the existing network. The take-up of the available capacity will depend on demand.

Mrs. Lait

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) passenger and (b) freight trains per day are projected to use the high-speed rail link. [29498]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The extra capacity provided by the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) under the Development Agreement with London and Continental Railways, will enable the number of international Eurostar services in peak periods to be more than doubled to eight an hour in each direction. For domestic passengers, the Development Agreement reserves capacity of up to eight trains an hour for new Kent commuter services during the morning and evening peak periods. The CTRL is also required to have the potential for use by high speed freight services.