§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on planned investment in the rail network on Merseyside. [149759]
§ Mr. HillOur Ten Year Transport Plan earmarked £60 billion of funding for the railways. The current franchise replacement process will also secure additional capacity, a step-change in customer service and a sustained improvement in performance through higher levels of investment. A new 'Northern' franchise, including First North Western services, is currently being negotiated. The Merseyrail franchise will be replaced in due course. The Strategic Rail Authority has recently negotiated a two-year extension to the Merseyrail franchise, securing an additional three coaches for morning peak services in the autumn and a further three coaches in the summer of 2002.