§ Mr. Cyril D. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to enable British Railways to improve their services between Victoria and Gatwick airport.
§ Mr. FowlerI expect the Railways Board to submit to me shortly detailed proposals for improvements to the facilities at Victoria station and for the provision of improved rolling stock, to enable the introduction of a separate airport service between Victoria and Gatwick airport, the objective is to provide a more efficient rail service for the growing number of air passengers using Gatwick, the priority attached by the Railways Board to this project was insufficient to ensure it a place within its existing investment programme, the Government accept, nevertheless, that on the basis of existing air passenger forecasts work on improvements to the rail link to Gatwick should begin in 1982–83. The board's investment ceiling has therefore been increased by £3 million in 1982–83 and £9 million in 1983–84 to enable work to begin, subject to my approval of the detailed proposals. This additional investment has been taken into account in planning for the board's financing requirement for those years.