§ Mr. John TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has received a proposal for the Ford Motor Company to construct a rail link between the Land Rover plant at Solihull and the west coast main line; if the link has passenger potential; and if he will make a statement on road to rail. [22911]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Strategic Rail Authority has been in discussions with Ford Motor Company about this proposal but they have not received a formal application for support. The scheme has potential to transfer freight traffic from road to rail which is in line with the objectives516W of our 10-year plan. No assessment has been made as to whether this rail link, if built, would have potential passenger use.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what financial commitment the Government have made to(a) the West Coast Phase 1 upgrade, (b) the West Coast Phase 2 upgrade and (c) the Virgin Cross Country Franchise upgrade. [22773]
§ Mr. JamiesonVirgin Trains have so far been paid some £300 million under the West Coast Trains franchise since it commenced on 9 March 1997. In addition to making payments under that franchise, the SRA is discussing, with my Department, Railtrack and Virgin Trains, various options for the outputs to be delivered under the west coast modernisation programme. Until the final outputs are agreed it is not possible to say what the costs involved will be. Value for money is one of the considerations under discussion.
Virgin Trains have so far been paid over £400 million under the cross country franchise since it commenced on 5 January 1997. The upgrade to cross country services, including the lease of new trains and infrastructure enhancements, are a commercial venture by Virgin Trains.
Subsidy levels decline year on year. The company will be paying premiums under the West Coast Trains franchise from 2002–03 and under the cross country franchise from 2010–11.