HL Deb 22 November 2000 vol 619 c79WA
Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the high capacity road-going cement tanker trailer that was selected as a winner of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority's inter-modal competition was sufficiently robust for both road and rail use. [HL4640]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston

All the winning schemes of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority's competition in this particular case were backed by leading freight companies with their own engineering expertise. Blue Circle Industries, Metalair Feldbinder Ltd and Babcock Rail are blue chip companies with base experience in designing, building and operating road and rail equipment. The sSRA felt sufficiently confident in their proposals to provide funding for the project to be taken forward. Detailed technical issues relating to the operation of their equipment are the responsibility of each winner. Payments will be related to the achievement of agreed project milestones to ensure that expenditure of public funds is minimised in the event of a project not proceeding to full completion.

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the payload of the high capacity road-going cement tanker trailer that was selected as a winner of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority's inter-modal competition. [HL4641]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston

The cement payload is 30.14 tonnes.