§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of Railtrack's performance in fulfilling its statutory obligations with respect to(a) maintenance of the rail infrastructure and (b) upgrading the system; and if he will list the figures for expenditure on both items. [22823]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonRailtrack's statutory obligations are reflected in its network licence, which is monitored by the Rail Regulator. Modifications to that licence now require the company to publish detailed information on the level of expenditure for both the maintenance and enhancement of the rail network. Railtrack's next Network Management Statement is to be published in March 1998.
Railtrack's core investment in the first half of 1997–98 had increased by 38 per cent.—to £520 million—compared to the first half of 1996–97. We have made it clear that we expect to see further improvements in investments levels.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with Railtrack the present and future access charges to the Railtrack system. [22824]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAccess charges are a matter for the Rail Regulator. The Regulator has recently invited comments from consultees, including Railtrack, on the issues which might inform his decisions on revised charges, which will come into effect on 1 April 2001.