HC Deb 16 January 2002 vol 378 c345W
Mr. George Osborne

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what has been the total Government spending to date on the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line. [26723]

Mr. Spellar

The Government have not incurred any expenditure directly on the West Coast Main Line Modernisation. However, to date Railtrack has spent around £1.8 billion on the project.

Mr. George Osborne

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the projected total Government spending is on the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line. [26722]

Mr. Spellar

The scope and options for taking forward the project, if powers are granted under the TWA (Transport and Works Act 1992) Order, are currently being considered with Railtrack, the Strategic Rail Authority, Virgin and the other passenger and freight operators on the route. Until the final outputs are agreed, a meaningful estimate of the full cost of the upgrade cannot be given.