§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the current estimate for the start date of the construction of the Thameslink 2000 rail scheme. [73092]
§ Dr. ReidThe start of construction work on the Thameslink 2000 rail project is dependent on two factors:
Firstly, the project requires construction powers to be granted under the Transport and Works Act 1992 (TWA). Railtrack submitted an application for a TWA Order for Thameslink 2000 in November 1997. Following consideration of representations made in respect of that application, and changes resulting from a review of the project, Railtrack is currently preparing a supplementary TWA Order application. A decision on when any public inquiry into the proposed scheme might be held has therefore been deferred until December 1999. The earliest an Inquiry could realistically be expected to commence is Spring of 2000. The timing of the Secretary of State's decision on whether to grant powers following the Inquiry Inspector's report, and—if powers are granted—the start of construction work, would depend on a number of factors, including the length of the Inquiry and the Inspector's findings.
Secondly, the Thameslink 2000 project is dependent on Stage 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) for the provision of certain works at St. Pancras. Railtrack has said that it intends to proceed with the exercise of its option to construct Stage 2 of CTRL, but believes that it would be inappropriate to make such a commitment until after the outcome is known of the Rail Regulator's review of access charges. If this option were exercised in 2001, construction of Thameslink 2000 would start in early 2002 and the service could be operational in 2006.