HC Deb 18 July 1994 vol 247 c67W
7. Mr. Mans

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the west coast main line reinvestment project under the private finance initiative.

15. Mr. Matthew Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the west coast main line reinvestment project under the private finance initiative.

Mr. Freeman

In March, Railtrack appointed a private sector consortium—West Coast Main Line Development Company Ltd.—to work with it to produce design standards for the line and to recommend funding options for the project. The joint study is expected to be completed by the end of the year. A further competition will then be held for the contract to undertake the upgrading work. That contract is expected to be let in mid-1995 and the works will start as soon as possible thereafter.