§ Mr. Clifford Forsytheasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessments have been made of the possible economic and social advantages for Northern Ireland of a cross-town rail link in Belfast between York road station and central station.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe economic and social advantages were examined at the public inquiry into the Belfast Transport Strategy Review in 1977. A new strategy plan for the Belfast urban area is being prepared and this will include a review of transportation strategy for which updated analyses of the costs and benefits of component proposals will be prepared.
§ Mr. Clifford Forsytheasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Government's proposals to the European Commission for the regeneration of Belfast include the provision of funds for a cross-town rail link.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe Belfast integrated operations document presented to the European Commission identifies a large number of projects. However, only the projects in schedule 1 to the document have funds committed to them. The implementation of projects in schedules II and III is dependent on funds becoming available, and the cross-harbour rail link is a schedule. III project.