§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the track access charge per mile charged in April 1994; and if he will list each change in the charge per mile since that date, and the date when each change was made. [23400]
§ Mr. WattsInitial access charges were entered into between the British Railways Board and Railtrack and came into effect on 1 April 1994. These charges, contained in unregulated access agreements comprised of a variable charge for track usage and traction current and fixed element and cannot be expressed as charges per mile.
Since that time, new access agreements have been entered between Railtrack and the train operating companies subject to the approval of the rail regulator. The regulator's approach to the approval of track access charges was set out in policy statements published in November 1994, January and February 1995 copies of which are in the House of Commons Library.