HL Deb 12 November 1998 vol 594 cc108-9WA
Baroness Thomas of Walliswood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many tracks for freight trains will be available on the West Coast Main Line between Rugby and London during the daytime, 0700–2100 hours, when the upgrading of the railway is completed in 2002. [HL3741]

Lord Whitty

Use of the capacity available on the West Coast Main Line is determined by the outcome of the bidding process by passenger and freight operators. The take up of capacity by any particular operator, be it passenger or freight, will, therefore, depend on access rights held and bids made. Given this mechanism it would be inappropriate to pre-determine allocation of train paths by business type.