§ 36. Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Greater Nottingham area rail development strategy. [107344]
§ Mr. HillFunding for the capital cost of heavy rail schemes is now generally a matter for the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA). The SSRA is currently in discussion with Nottinghamshire County Council about the Strategy. I understand that the County Council will shortly be submitting a pre-qualification bid for funding to the SSRA under the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme for a new station at Ilkeston. The Strategy was however, also included as part of the proposals for local heavy rail98W network development within the Greater Nottingham Local Transport Plan, submitted in July 1999. It is open to the authorities to use their block allocations to support rail improvements associated with the Strategy.