§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects Railtrack to begin and to complete its study into the feasibility of using the North Downs route for channel tunnel rail freight traffic; and if he will be making a statement on the findings of the study.
§ Mr. WattsRailtrack reported to us in August 1994 that the North Downs route was not an option for channel tunnel freight trains. The scheme proposed would bring no environmental or operational benefit which might justify grant and the works required to upgrade the route would be very expensive. The proposal is therefore not being pursued.