§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 9 June 1997,Official Report, column 317, if he will estimate when Peterborough will be served by direct Eurostar services. [51148]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAs my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 3 June 1998,Official Report, columns 367–84, London and Continental Railways, which are responsible for the operation of the Eurostar service, have decided to award a management contract for the service to a consortium comprising British Airways, National Express and the national railways of France and Belgium. This consortium has been asked to 372W review urgently the feasibility of regional Eurostar services, and to report to the Government before the end of the year. We cannot prejudge the outcome of that report.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department's negotiations for the construction of the CTRL will be concluded before LCR's review of the feasibility of regional Eurostar services is completed. [51170]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonNegotiations for the construction of the CTRL and the review of the feasibility of regional Eurostar services are being taken forward in parallel. Negotiations for the construction of the CTRL are being progressed with a view to allowing construction to start later this year. The consortium selected to operate Eurostar have been asked to review urgently the feasibility of regional services and report by the end of this year.