§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it a requirement for the successful bidder for the Connex South Central franchise to include firm proposals to reopen the Lewes-Uckfield railway line. [125610]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 12 June 2000]Negotiations for a replacement South Central franchise are at an advanced stage. The Deputy Prime Minister has asked the Franchising Director to evaluate the bids against the following criteria: commitment to secure better performance and customer services, the extent to which extra or earlier investment can be secured, the extent to which passengers will be given a greater voice in the level and standard of services, and value for money to the taxpayer. All the investment proposals contained in bids will be evaluated against these criteria.