§ Lord Swinfenasked Her Majesty's Government:
If there have been any decisions taken on the route of the Channel Tunnel rail link at Ashford.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord MacKay of Ardbrecknish)We have today announced our decisions on the route of the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link through Ashford and at Pepper Hill.
In January we announced a route for the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link that would be safeguarded, but that further study and consultation had been requested by the local authorities on route options at Ashford and Pepper Hill. Union Railways compared three options at each location, consulted on them and reported to us at the end of March. In deciding on the route at each location that will be safeguarded, we have also taken account of all the representations that have been received. Copies of the Union Railways' reports will be placed in the Library of the House.
The extra consultation has fully justified that decision. We are now able to announce that at Pepper Hill we have decided that the chosen route will be the one around the housing estate, in cut and cover under the A2. It is technically feasible, environmentally acceptable, does not cost more and has wide public support locally.
At Ashford we have decided that the Central route is the best solution. It is environmentally acceptable and has the best financial return. We have also taken particular account of the perception of local authorities, and business representatives, in Kent and Sussex, that the economic development of Ashford and East Kent will be enhanced by ensuring that the route serves Ashford International Passenger Station as directly as possible. The Central route affects some housing and commercial premises, but it will be optimised in the next few weeks before it is safeguarded so as to minimise the impacts as far as possible.