HC Deb 22 October 1990 vol 178 cc68-9W
58. Mr. Roger King

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current level of investment by British Rail; and when this figure was last equalled in real terms.

Mr. Freeman

British Rail's latest forecast for railway investment in 1990–91 is some £820 million, which is the highest level in real terms since 1962. This includes investment in track, signalling, locomotives, rolling stock, stations and railway facilities, but excludes investment in non-railway items, pre-payments for channel tunnel-related items and expenditure on continuously welded rail (CWR).

Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the British Rail investment projects currently approved by him including in each case the source of funding; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

Current British Rail investment projects approved by my right hon. Friend include:

  • East coast main line electrification, and associated rolling stock and locomotives
  • 31 additional mark IV coaches for the east coast main line
  • 100 class 60 freight locomotives
  • 700 deepsea container wagons
  • 324 class 319/321 electric multiple units for Network SouthEast services north of the Thames and Thameslink
  • Cambridge to Kings Lynn electrification
  • 180 class 165 Networker vehicles (for Thames and Chiltern lines)
  • 400 class 465 Networker vehicles for Kent and inner suburban lines (with purchase of a further 276 vehicles approved in principle)
  • 48 class 456 electric multiple units for Network SouthEast south central
  • Rail link to Stansted airport and associated rolling stock Waterloo resignalling.
  • Chiselhurst to Folkestone resignalling
  • British Rail's share of the Heathrow express project 447 class 158 vehicles for Provincial
  • Manchester airport rail link
  • Birmingham cross-city electrification and associated rolling stock
  • 30 new passenger trains for channel tunnel services
  • 20 class 92 freight locomotives for channel tunnel services Tonbridge to Redhill electrification
  • Construction of Waterloo international terminal and maintenance depot

British Rail has of course approved many other investment projects itself.

We do not apportion expenditure on particular projects between different funding sources.

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