Rail Services (Hansard, 2 April 2003)

§ Mr. Don Foster
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority on the past and future undertaking of funding for rail freight through(a) Freight Small Schemes Fund, (b) incremental output statements for freight, (c) freight facilities grant and (d) track access charges; and if he will make a statement; [104503]
(2) if he will list the Strategic Rail Authority Freight Small Schemes Fund schemes (a) which have commenced, (b) where feasibility studies (i) have been completed and (ii) are continuing, (c) which have been placed on hold and (d) which have been cancelled, indicating in each case funding from the Strategic Rail Authority, (A) awarded, (B) approved and (C) projected in 2003–04; [104501]
(3) what representations he has received from the freight industry on the (a) Freight Small Schemes Fund, (b) incremental output statements for freight, (c) freight facilities grant, (d) track access charges and (e) potential changes in funding for each, during the financial year 2003–04. [104502]

§ Mr. Jamieson
Ministers and officials in my Department meet regularly with the Strategic Rail Authority about a wide range of issues and receive representations from time to time about the funding of rail freight
The SRA's Strategic Plan sets out its proposals to introduce a new Company Neutral Revenue Support scheme later this year. It is also revising its rates for calculating freight grant awards (Sensitive Lorry Miles). The Freight Small Schemes fund is used internally by the Strategic Rail Authority to fund development work and is not available as a source of funding for outside bodies.

§ Mr. Don Foster
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings he(a) has had and (b) plans with members of York council on the Rail Passenger Scheme proposed for new stations at Haxby and Strensall. [104496]

§ Mr. Jamieson
None. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Transport has exchanged correspondence with City of York council about the North East York Rail Scheme.

§ Mrs. Helen Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he estimates there will be a new railway station in Peterborough. [105806]

§ Mr. Jamieson
There are currently no plans for a new railway station at Peterborough.