§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in the reopening of the Welsh Highland Railway in Gwynedd. [125071]
§ Mr. HillThis is a matter for the Ffestiniog Railway Company, which as owners of the Welsh Highland Railway are responsible for its reconstruction. However, I understand that the company plan to complete the line as far as Waunfawr shortly and open it to passengers by August this year. The next section as far as Rhyd Ddu, at the foot of Snowdon, is to be built during 2001. The company then hopes to complete the reconstruction of the rest of the line through to Porthmadog by 2005.