HC Deb 06 May 1994 vol 242 cc647-8W
Mr. Martlew

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the amount of maintenance and track renewal work to be carried out in the financial year 1994–95 on the west coast main line.

Mr. Freeman

The funds available to Railtrack this year for maintenance and track renewal are similar to 1993–94 levels. Railtrack is committed to maintaining the west coast main line in the steady state until work on upgrading starts in mid-1995. The amount of work to be carried out this year should therefore be broadly similar to that in 1993–94.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will implement the plan for investment in the west coast railway as set out by the west midlands regional rail forum; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

The feasibility study on the modernisation of the west coast main line currently being undertaken jointly by Railtrack and WCML Development Co. Ltd. will examine a range of investment options. The contract for the work on the line will be let in early 1995 and the work itself is expected to commence in mid-1995.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the west coast main line will be modernised; by whom; and at what cost.

Mr. Freeman

My right hon. Friend announced on 1 December that, following a feasibility study by a private sector consortium working with Railtrack, a competition will be held early next year for the contract to design, build and maintain the improvements to the line. That remains the timetable. The feasibility study is under way. Work is expected to start in mid-1995 and to take eight to 10 years. The cost has been estimated at between £400 million and £600 million.