HL Deb 06 July 1998 vol 591 cc114-6WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Channel Tunnel Rail Link will be designed to accommodate all types of freight train currently in use in the United Kingdom; and, if not, whether they will specify any technical restrictions such as minimum speed, axle weights, train lengths or weight which might prevent certain freight trains operating on that line. {HL2469}

Baroness Hayman

While the Channel Tunnel Rail Link is primarily intended as a high-speed passenger line, the Development Agreement with London and Continental Railways (LCR) requires that the entirety of the new infrastructure should have a potential freight capability. This therefore includes the provision of continental loading gauge, appropriate track spacing, compatibility with standard UK axle loadings, two freight passing lines and two freight junctions.

Title of proposed order Date of application Applicant and description of proposals Estimated cost of works (as at date of application) Status in approval process
1. Heathrow Express Railway Extension Order 15/9/94 Application by Heathrow Airport Ltd to extend the Heathrow Express Railway to the proposed Terminal 5. £88 million At inquiry.
2. Piccadilly Line (Heathrow T5 Extension) Order 29/11/94 Application by London Underground Ltd and Heathrow Airport Ltd to extend the Piccadilly Line to the proposed Terminal 5. £71 million At inquiry.
3. Wye Navigation Order 21/3/96 Application by the Environment Agency for powers to manage navigation on the Rivers Wye and Lugg and tributaries. Not applicable. Inquiry report being considered. (To be determined jointly with the Secretary of State for Wales.)
4. Leeds Supertram (Extension) Order 4/7/96 Application by West Yorkshire PTE to extend the proposed Leeds Supertram system to Headingley and Seacroft. £166 million Inquiry report being considered.
5. Greater Manchester (LRTS) (Land Acquisition) Order 15/10/96 Application by Greater Manchester PTE to renew compulsory purchase powers for the proposed Metrolink lines to East Didsbury and Rochdale. Not applicable. Objections being considered.
6. Greater Manchester (LRTS) (Ashton-under-Lyne Extension) Order 12/12/96 Application by Greater Manchester PTE to extend the Metrolink from Piccadilly Station to Ashton-under-Lyne £110 million Inquiry report being considered.
7. Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Stratford Station and Subsidiary Works) Order 23/1/97 Application by Eurostar (UK) Ltd to construct Stratford International Station and a link to the West Coast Main Line at St Pancras. £68 million Inquiry report being considered.
8. Welsh Highland Railway Order 27/3/97 Application by the Festiniog Railway to reconstruct the Welsh Highland Railway. £19 million Inquiry report being considered.
9. Greater Manchester (LRTS) (Mumps Surface Crossing) Order 10/4/97 Application by Greater Manchester PTE to alter route of the proposed Metrolink line in Oldham town centre. £4 million Objections being considered.

The detailed design of the railway is a matter for LCR; the Government have placed no technical restrictions on the type of freight train that may use the new line. I understand from the company, however, that it will be particularly suited to higher speed freight trains carrying more valuable and lower weight consignments. This will of course enable substantial capacity on the existing railway network to be released.