HC Deb 09 February 1989 vol 146 cc743-4W
Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the level of investment by British Rail for each year from 1978 to 1988; what percentage was invested in the east coast line during each of those years; and what percentage of the east coast investment in each year was spent on(a) electrification and (b) existing stock and system improvement.

Mr. Portillo

The level of investment by British Rail for each year from 1978 to 1988 is as follows:

Year £ million1
1978 421
1979 433
1980 449
1981 373
1982 311
1983 302
1984–85 2448
1985–86 427
1986–87 414
1987–88 517
1 £ million at 1988–89 prices.
2 15-month accounting period.

It is not possible to provide percentages for the level of investment in the east coast main line during each of those years. Examples of major investment projects on that line approved in recent years include:

£ million1
Electrification infrastructure 238.9
New traction and rolling stock 168.8
York area resignalling 20.9
Newcastle area resignalling 35.1
1 £ million (Q1 1989 prices).

There have also been numerous small schemes.