§ Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish the terms of reference of the capacity study on the West Coast Main Line being undertaken by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Franchising Director of Passenger Rail Franchising; and [HL950]
What organisations have been consulted in connection with the study of capacity of the West Coast Main Line; and what is the expected completion date of the study; and [HL951]
Whether they intend to publish the capacity study of the West Coast Main Line. [HL952]
§ Lord WhittyRailtrack is shortly to provide the Rail Regulator and Franchising Director with a report on a number of strategic reviews of capacity to meet56WA the needs of all users of the West Coast Main Line. In carrying out the reviews Railtrack was required to consult the train operating companies and identify options for meeting future demand and improving services. We expect to see the conclusion of these reviews reflected in Railtrack's Network Management Statement due to be published next month (March 1999).
Her Majesty's Government are not carrying out any independent capacity study on West Coast Main Line.