§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what(a) statutory rules, (b) guidelines and (c) regulations exist with respect to applications made to Railtrack for new freight connections; [62284]
(2) how many applications have been made to Railtrack, in each of the last three years, for the construction of new freight connections to the rail network; [62283]
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Value and to consider private finance arrangements under which the maximum degree of responsibility for constructing, managing and operating the project is taken on by the private sector.
§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list existing tram and light railway schemes indicating(a) how much revenue subsidy they have received for each year since they have been in existence and (b) the capital cost in each case. [62804]
§ Mr. KilfoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (I) if he will list each(a) tram and (b) light rail system operating within the United Kingdom; [62869]
(2) what criteria he employs, other than financial ones, in assessing and approving proposed tram and light rail systems; [62863]
(3) how much his Department has spent on each tram and light rail system operation. [62885]
§ Mr. SpellarThe information is as follows.
(3) what (a) statutory rules, (b) guidelines and (c) regulations there are relating to the construction of new freight connections (i) by organisations other than Railtrack and (ii) that are sponsored by organisations other than Railtrack. [62286]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 17 June 2002]: Agreements between Railtrack and other persons regarding new freight connections to Railtrack's network are subject to the approval or discretion of the rail regulator under section 17 or 18 of the Railways Act 1993. The rail regulator has issued directions to Railtrack under section 18 for 31, six and four new connection agreements with Railtrack in each of the last three calendar years. Any such connection is subject to the Railways Act 1993, Railway Group Standards, the Railways and Other Transport Systems (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulation 1994, the Transport and Works Act 1992, and Part G of the Railtrack Track Access Conditions. Railtrack publishes guidance for anyone seeking to connect to its network in a publication entitled "A Guide to Freight Connections". The latest edition was published in October 1998. Substantially the same regime applies to connections which do not involve Railtrack.