§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to promote the inclusion of the west coast main line route in the proposed trans-European railway network currently under consideration by the European Union; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. WattsThe west coast main line is already included in the draft trans-European railway network. We have proposed adding the modernisation of the line to the list of priority projects which is being developed by the Christophersen group, and have provided the Commission with full briefings on its scale and significance. We are optimistic that the group will recognise the importance of this project to the trans-European railway network in the report which it is due to present to the European Council in December.