§ Mr. DykesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will announce the conclusions of his Department's examination in 1996 of the proposal for a link line to be created to combine the underground and BR line services of the Bakerloo line north of Harrow and Wealdstone station with the British Rail Euston to Watford facility. [13843]
§ Mr. BowisThe promotion of new rail projects in London is the responsibility of the transport operators—London Transport, Railtrack and the train operating companies.
I understand that London Transport has, from time to time, reviewed the proposal to reintroduce Bakerloo line services between Harrow and Wealdstone and Watford junction, most recently in the light of both the proposed Croxley rail link project and the recent franchising of North London Railways, but that its initial indications are that there remains insufficient demand to justify the additional costs involved. London Transport will, however, continue to work closely with the new franchisee to investigate ways of developing the route.