HC Deb 09 April 2001 vol 366 c388W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce, with the Strategic Rail Authority, plans for improvements to the Great Western Main Line; when it is expected that upgraded signalling and junctions and new flyovers for the Great Western Main Line mentioned in the SRA' s Strategic Agenda will be delivered; and what the cost of these upgrades will be. [157464]

Mr. Hill

The SRA' s Strategic Agenda lists a range of schemes which it would be possible to pursue. No decisions have yet been taken as to the priorities attached to particular projects which are not yet in progress. The timscale for infrastructure upgrading on the Great Western main line is driven by principal resignalling works that must be completed by 2011. It is not yet possible to give specific costs.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the projected cost is of the Joint Venture for the East Coast Main Line upgrade; what the projected amount is of public and private investment needed for this project; what the estimated start and finish dates are for this project; and how soon after revised bids are received he intends to make an announcement, together with the Strategic Rail Authority, on the preferred bidder for the East Coast Main Line franchise. [157462]

Mr. Hill

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is currently establishing a project development group to take forward the upgrade of the East Coast Main Line and to develop the project to a sufficiently advanced stage for its construction to be competitively tendered. It is not expected that the joint venture approach will alter significantly the overall costs or timing of the upgrade.

In view of the change to the structure of the upgrade, the SRA has asked shortlisted counterparties for a replacement Inter City East Coast franchise to review their original bids. The SRA currently expects to receive any changes to their proposals by 17 April. Once the SRA has received and considered these it will decide whether to proceed with a request to the Secretary of State for a direction to authorise early replacement of the franchise. Any such request will be given appropriate and timely consideration.