§ 44. Dr. Twinnasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to promote further opportunities for private sector financing and management of parts of the national infrastructure network.
§ Mr. RidleyI seek always to encourage private sector initiatives for the financing and management of transport infrastructure where appropriate in the interests of efficient use of resources and improving services to consumers. For example, I suggested in evidence to the Select Committee on Transport last July that the private sector might contemplate financing the construction of a third crossing110W of the Thames at Dartford, and a good deal of interest has already been shown in that idea. London Regional Transport has reached an understanding, which I have endorsed, to promote private sector financing and management of the Docklands light railway. In addition, I have made it clear that the Government are prepared to facilitate a private sector cross-Channel Link, which would be the largest infrastructure project in our history.