§ Mr. PollardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action his Department is taking to ensure that Railtrack provide the signalling infrastructure, as part of the West Coast Mainline Upgrade, to give the train operating company holding the franchise for the St. Albans Abbey to Watford Junction line the ability to operate through services to London from St. Albans Abbey station. [128142]
§ Mr. HillTrains from St. Albans Abbey can operate at present onto the main line at Watford Junction with special permission, although not for regular services. As part of the current plans for the West Coast Main Line Upgrade a new island platform, which can take eight car trains, will be constructed at Watford Junction to replace platform 11 currently used by St. Albans Abbey trains. The associated new signalling will allow trains to pass to and from the London Euston lines on a regular basis. It would then be a matter for the franchise operator to discuss with interested local stakeholders the need for and viability of through services between London Euston and St. Albans Abbey via Watford Junction.