HC Deb 04 November 1996 vol 284 cc368-9W
Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been invested in the infrastructure of the west coast mainline by(a) Railtrack plc and (b) the Department of Transport, (i) in each year since 1993 and (ii) since May 1996. [1374]

Mr. Watts

[holding answer Thursday 31 October]: It is not for the Department to invest in the west coast main line. Railtrack was formed on 1 April 1994 and therefore would not hold investment information before that date. However, the company has confirmed the following investment details for each financial year since 1994:

  • 1994–95: £47.6 million
  • 1995–96: £50.9 million
  • 1996–97: £70.1 million.

Railtrack is planning to spend a total of £1.35 billion to renew the core infrastructure and is prepared to spend a further £150 million on a passenger upgrade.