HC Deb 23 January 2002 vol 378 cc871-2W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what additional capacity is(a) planned and (b) under consideration for the railway lines between (i) London and Portsmouth, (ii) London, Southampton and Lymington and (iii) Bristol and Brighton, and for Island Line; when he expects each improvement to be complete; what the cost will be; and how much of the cost will be met from public funds; [28732]

(2) what improvement is (a) planned and (b) under consideration for major stations on the railway lines between (i) London and Portsmouth, (ii) London, Southampton and Lymington and (iii) Bristol and Brighton, and for stations on Island Line; when he expects each improvement to be complete; what the cost will be; and how much of the cost will be met from public funds. [28733]

Mr. Spellar

Capacity on the Portsmouth and Southampton routes will be increased in stages over the early years of the replacement South West Trains franchise through rolling stock investment. It is proposed that capacity be increased to facilitate a half-hourly service on the Bristol to Portsmouth route. Longer term increases in capacity will depend on infrastructure investment to permit longer trains to operate. These projects, and their financial arrangements, are subject to the outcome of commercial negotiations for the new South West Trains and Wessex franchises. The Strategic Rail Authority are developing a franchise proposition for the replacement of the Island Line franchise, in consultation with the Island council. Further announcements will be made by the authority in due course.

Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions under the 10 year plan for rail, how much public money will be available in each of the next 10 years to support(a) infrastructure investment and (b) subsidies for operating costs to (i) the Railtrack successor body and (ii) the train operating companies. [29233]

Mr. Jamieson

The £33.5 billion of government support to the rail industry over the next 10 years, is projected to be profiled as in the table. A breakdown is provided between government capital investment and resource (revenue) expenditure.

The level of future Government subsidy provided through existing franchise contracts is detailed in the 2001 SRA annual report. No other breakdown can be provided for individual companies over each of the next 10 years.

£ billion 1 Resource Capital Total
2001–02 1.6 0.6 2.2
2002–03 1.4 1.5 2.8
2003–04 1.4 2.5 4.0
2004–05 1.5 2.4 3.9
2005–06 1.5 2.9 4.4
2006–07 1.5 2.7 4.2
2007–08 1.5 2.2 3.6
2008–09 1.6 1.3 2.9
2009–10 1.5 1.2 2.7
2010–11 1.5 1.2 2.7
Total 14.9 18.6 33.5
1 Rounded