HC Deb 15 June 1998 vol 314 cc46-7W
Mrs. Lait

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what date is specified for completion of the entire line in LCR's contract to build the CTRL. [45409]

Ms Glenda Jackson

On present plans, LCR and Railtrack expect the full link to be completed by 2007.

Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the contractual obligation for LCR if Railtrack does not proceed with the construction of phase two of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [45629]

Ms Glenda Jackson

LCR will be under a full contractual obligation to build the entire railway from the Channel Tunnel to St. Pancras.

Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provisions have been made by the Government in the event of an overrun of costs for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [45630]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Under the terms of the proposed deal with LCR and Railtrack, which my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced to the House on 3 June 1998,Official Report, columns 367–70, construction risk is to be borne in the private sector.

Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how passenger forecasts for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link have been calculated. [45623]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Department's independent assessment of the various Eurostar passenger forecasts took account of a number of factors including Cross-Channel market trends, the relative competitive position of Eurostar and infrastructure changes such as the opening of the Rail Link itself.

Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the guarantees which exist to ensure that phase two of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link is built. [45625]

Ms Glenda Jackson

LCR will remain contractually obliged to build the entire railway from the Channel Tunnel to St. Pancras; Railrack will be able to realise a full rate of return only if they commit to the second phase of construction as well as the first; and the Government capital grant will be divided so that nearly two-thirds of the £1.8 billion available is held back for the second phase of construction.

Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Thameslink 2000 proposals for St. Pancras Station will go ahead. [45626]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Construction of the Thameslink 2000 station at St. Pancras is included in the second construction phase of the CTRL project which LCR expect to start in 2001.

Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to which phase of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link the Government subsidy of £140 million refers. [45628]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The figure relates to the entire link.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a statement on the future development of the Kings Cross railway lands. [45353]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The King's Cross Railway Lands remain linked to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link project. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 3 June 1998,Official Report, columns 367–70, a deal that secures the future of the new railway from the Channel Tunnel to St. Pancras. London and Continental Railways continue to develop plans for the regeneration of the King's Cross Railway Lands in consultation with the London boroughs of Camden and Islington and other key parties.