§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the cost of the seven regional Eurostar sets; what is their current location; and what proposals are being considered for their future use; [51741]
(2) what assessment the consortiums bidding to run Eurostar have provided to his Department of the viability of running regional Eurostar rail services. [51655]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThese trainsets were purchased as part of a larger procurement contract which included the intercapital sets so it is not possible to give actual costs. However, they are currently being leased at £22 million each. The trains are based at North Pole Depot in North London and at Eurostar's Longsight facility in Manchester and they are currently undergoing tests on the UK and continental rail networks.
The provision of regional Eurostar services are a matter for London and Continental Railways. The consortium chosen by LCR to operate Eurostar have been asked to review urgently the feasibility of regional Eurostar services, and to report to the Government before the end of the year. This report has not been received yet.