§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to improve the(a) Wrexham-Birkenhead rail line, (b) Central Wales line and (c) Wrexham-Shrewsbury-Hereford-Cardiff line; and if he will make a statement. [45889]
§ Mr. HainInvestment in rail infrastructure is primarily a matter for Railtrack, whose published Network Management Statement sets out investment strategies for particular routes. The Government support passenger rail services through the franchise agreements with train operators. One of the main objectives of our integrated transport policy, to be set out in a White Paper next month, is to encourage more passengers and freight onto the railways.