Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Hansard, 23 July 1998)

§ Mr. Ottaway
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who will be responsible for finding a replacement to complete the second phase of the CTRL in the event that Railtrack decides not to exercise its option to complete it. [51526]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
Under the terms of the revised agreement, London and Continental Railways (LCR) will retain the obligation to complete the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) if Railtrack does not exercise its option to commit to the second phase of construction. However, Railtrack has publicly stated that it fully intends exercising its option and there is a strong financial incentive for it to do so.

§ Mr. Ottaway
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what aspects of the CTRL restructuring remain to be negotiated; and if he will make a statement. [51738]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
Since the statement of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 3 June 1998,Official Report, columns 367–70, much work has been done by the principal parties involved in the restructuring of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) deal to document the details of the new arrangements. Although there is much to do, the work is on course to enable London and Continental Railways (LCR) to begin construction of the link later this year.

§ Mr. Ottaway
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if construction of the Thames Link 2000 St. Pancras Box is dependent on finalisation of plans for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [51739]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
The two projects are physically integrated, which is why the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) promoter is contractually committed to construct the Thameslink Box. The Department is discussing the full implications of the CTRL agreement outlined by my right hon. Friend on 3 June 1998,Official Report, 677W columns 367–70, with London and Continental Railways, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising (OPRAF) and Railtrack.

§ Mr. Rowe
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the scope of the powers of the regulator for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [51527]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
S16 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996 excludes the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) as a "licensed activity" under the Railways Act 1993 and it is therefore not subject to the jurisdiction of the Rail Regulator. The rights and obligations of the parties are regulated principally through the Development Agreement between HM Government and London and Continental Railways (LCR), together with a suite of further agreements between HMG, LCR and Railtrack.