§ Ms KeebleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Railtrack about its ability to demonstrate that it can meet the requirement set by the regulator to provide an extra 42 paths of the slow line of the West Coast Mainline after Passenger Upgrade II. [83694]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Rail Regulator is discussing with Railtrack what it needs to do to demonstrate that it can meet its commitment to provide the extra 42 paths.
§ Ms KeebleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Railtrack about its statements relating to the needs of people travelling on the Euston to Rugby stretch of the West Coast Mainline in the company's network management statement and its capacity study. [83693]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Rail Regulator is considering whether the plans in Railtrack's 1999 Network Management Statement adequately reflect the reasonable requirements of train operators and funding bodies, including train operators serving the Euston to Rugby route. In addition, the Franchising Director has launched an extensive consultation exercise with local authorities and other bodies on the level and type of services which the rail network should provide. This will assist the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority in forming a view on how the network should be developed, including the route between Euston and Rugby.
§ Ms KeebleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made on the West Coast Mainline upgrade; and if the programme is progressing(a) to schedule and (b) to budget. [83696]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Passenger Upgrade II project is a commercial agreement between Railtrack and West Coast Trains Ltd., and as such is a matter for the parties.
153WHowever, the Rail Regulator is monitoring Railtrack's compliance with undertakings it has given as to capacity for other train operators and funding bodies.
§ Ms KeebleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish the timetable for the proposed development of the West Coast Mainline. [83698]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Shadow Strategic Rail Authority will monitor Railtrack's progress with the modernisation of the West Coast Mainline, and the Rail Regulator will monitor compliance by Railtrack with its undertakings to the Regulator on additional capacity and related issues.
§ Ms KeebleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that Railtrack considers the reasonable requirements of train operators for growth on the West Coast Mainline. [83697]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonRailtrack has a licence obligation, which is enforced by the Rail Regulator, to meet the reasonable requirements of train operators and funding bodies to the extent reasonably practicable, including those requirements which relate to growth on the West Coast Mainline. I understand that the Rail Regulator is considering whether the plans set out in Railtrack's 1999 Network Management Statement demonstrate compliance with this obligation.