§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the cost of Railtrack's feasibility study team analysis of whether to modernise the rail network; when the work began; what studies have been completed in this time; and what factors governed the time scale of the inquiry. [15682]
§ Mr. WattsThe feasibility study for the modernisation of the west coast main line was started on 24 March 1994. This study was completed, on time, in December 1994. The time scale for the study was driven by the scale of the task involved. The cost of the study is a commercial issue for Railtrack.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what factors led to the granting to Railtrack of permission to study the west coast main line; what consideration was given to asking an independent body to undertake the study; to what supervision Railtrack is subjected in the course of the study; and what independent study will be carried out before the franchising director adopts Railtrack's recommendation; [15685]
(2) what has been the involvement of (a) the franchising director and (b) the Secretary of State in Railtrack's recent study of rail modernisation. [15684]
§ Mr. WattsThe project was awarded to a consortium of private sector organisations following a competition. Ministers and the franchising director have been kept closely in touch with progress on the study. The franchising director is currently discussing its conclusions with prospective franchisees.