§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans have been put to his Department for the re-opening of the Bletchley to Bicester railway line to passenger traffic; and if he will make a statement; [45351]
(2) what reports he has received from Railtrack concerning the condition of the Bletchley to Bicester railway line; and what assessment he has made of whether it is in a useable condition. [45352]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonRe-opening of this section of railway line to passenger services forms part of a proposal recently put to me by the East West Rail Consortium for a rail link from Ipswich/Norwich to Swindon. Railtrack is a member of this consortium. My officials, and those from the Franchising Director's office, are considering the detailed business case put forward by the consortium against OPRAF's interim Planning Criteria approved by ministers and published last November. I am awaiting the outcome of these deliberations.