§ Mr. Matthew BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to secure private sector investment for major infrastructure developments in(a) the railway network and (b) roads; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanWe wish to open up new ways to make the best use of private sector skills, initiative and funds in the provision of transport infrastructure.
British Rail and the British Airports Authority have agreed in principle a joint venture to build a new rail express link between Paddington and Heathrow airport. The Department of Transport, with Samuel Montagu and Co and Union Railways, will be discussing with the private sector their participation in a joint venture on the channel tunnel rail link. In the case of crossrail, we are appointing consultants to advise us how best to ensure maximum private sector involvement.
The new Queen Elizabeth II bridge at Dartford, which opened in 1991 was privately financed. Construction of a privately financed second Severn bridge is under way and a concession agreement has been signed for the construction, using private finance, of the Birmingham northern relief road. My right hon. Friend plans to publish a Green Paper on the basis of charging for inter-urban roads and the scope for more private sector investment in their construction and operation.