§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what environmental standards will apply, and what benefits will be available to people living near, to the new sections of the proposed channel tunnel rail link.
§ Mr. FreemanThe route for the rail link announced for consultation has been designed in accordance with a range of environmental design aims as explained in a departmental paper entitled "Paper for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link High Level Forum: Environmental Appraisal", which is in the Library. Mitigation measures also contribute towards achieving these aims; the measures that might be provided will be discussed over the next few months with those people affected. Any loss of value of homes resulting from any remaining environmental impacts may qualify for statutory compensation once the railway is in operation.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest estimates for channel tunnel-borne rail freight loads expected to be carried on existing south London railway lines; how many train movements are expected; at what times of the day; and when he will announce what new estimates have been made in the light of changed passenger commuter services on those lines, resulting from the building of the channel tunnel passenger rail link.
§ Mr. FreemanBritish Rail expects to run up to 27 international freight trains daily in each direction from the opening of the channel tunnel. Approximately half of the trains are expected to run at night. Some of these trains will access the tunnel via the Tonbridge-Redhill route and others by the Nunhead-Maidstone route. British Rail plans to increase the number of services on existing lines to meet the growth in demand; demand patterns will become clear only following the start of services. The channel tunnel rail link is designed primarily as a passenger line, but with the option of taking some freight being kept open.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what environmental standards apply, and what benefits are available to people living near, to existing railway track which will carry additional freight loads as a result of(a) the channel tunnel opening and (b) the building of the channel tunnel rail link.
§ Mr. FreemanThere is no statutory requirement for environmental protection measures to be taken where traffic on an existing railway line increases or changes in nature; nor are compensation or sound insulation required to be provided. However, on the existing lines which will carry channel tunnel freight services—both before and after the building of the channel tunnel rail link—British Rail is taking measures to limit the effects of railway noise. Sections of jointed rail on these lines are being replaced by continuously welded rail and the new international rolling 709W stock has been designed to be quieter than other rolling stock currently in use. In addition, BR has agreed with Kent and Surrey county councils jointly funded schemes for the erection of acoustic barriers at certain locations alongside these railway lines. BR is willing to discuss the possibility of such schemes with any other local authority whose area is likely to be similarly affected.