HC Deb 21 November 2001 vol 375 c290W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has(a) conducted and (b) commissioned concerning the (i) economic, (ii) social and (iii) environmental impact of the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [15735]

Mr. Jamieson

The Department conducted a study of the regeneration benefits of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and, to supplement the extensive research carried out by the various promoters and opponents of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, has commissioned some further research to assess:

  1. (i) Economic impacts: Eurostar passenger and revenue forecasts
  2. (ii) Social impacts: property consultants advised on the regeneration impact of the Link
  3. (iii) Environmental impacts: research to determine the noise characteristics of Eurostar trains.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the likely effect the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link will have on(a) passenger numbers and (b) financial returns for (i) each train operating company and (ii) Eurostar. [15734]

Mr. Jamieson

The Strategic Rail Authority is assessing the passenger and financial returns of high speed domestic services on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and the consequential impacts on Connex South Eastern services. Details depend on the service pattern assumed and will be the subject of commercial negotiations.

Consultants Booz Allen and Hamilton were employed by the Department to forecast passenger numbers and financial returns for Eurostar. These forecasts informed commercial negotiations undertaken earlier this year with Railtrack Group plc and LCR concerning Section 2 of the Link.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what track access charges will be paid by Eurostar for use of tracks(a) on the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link and (b) on tracks between Waterloo and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, when the Channel Tunnel Rail Link becomes operational. [15736]

Mr. Jamieson

The Track Access Charges are set out in the Track Access Agreements between Railtrack, Eurostar, and London and Continental Railways. These agreements, between private companies, are commercially sensitive and cannot therefore be made public.

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