§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if the Strategic Rail Authority has provided(a) his Department and (b) the Treasury with an estimate of the total renewal cost of the UK rail network; [40222]
(2) if his Department has made an assessment of the total renewal cost of the UK rail network; and if he will make a statement; [40221]
(3) what estimate he has made of how much is required fully to renew the United Kingdom rail network; [40224]
(4) if his Department has provided information to the Treasury to enable it to carry out an estimation of the total renewal cost of the UK rail network; [40223]
(5) what estimate he has made of the ratio between the total renewal cost of the UK rail network and the average annual amount allocated for renewals under the 10-Year Plan. [40202]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe appropriate level of renewals is a matter for the Rail Regulator and for bidders for Railtrack Plc. Bidders are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the investment needs of the rail network, to develop plans to improve the knowledge of the state of the rail network and to propose their renewal investment plans.