§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates for Railtrack's maintenance work, other than that referred to in his answer of 13 March,Official Report, column 609, were made available to W. S. Atkins; and if he will make a statement. [25456]
§ Mr. WattsRailtrack prepared an initial desktop assessment of its asset maintenance plan for track and route structures for the preparation of its 1994–95 annual report and accounts. W. S. Atkins reviewed this estimate and concluded that it had been professionally prepared in a responsible manner and with reference to both long-term and recent experience of the operation and maintenance of the assets.
Since this initial assessment was prepared, Railtrack has undertaken further extensive investigations into the condition of these assets, based on statistical analyses of data gained from sample surveys and the application of techniques which update and refine the asset maintenance plan as more data become available. This work has given rise to the central estimate for the 10 years from 1 April 1994 of £3,250 million at 1994–95 prices.