§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains an hour can enter Paddington from the west; and what his plans are for capacity for Paddington. [81249]
§ Mr. SpellarThere are approximately 28 trains per hour entering London Paddington station at peak times. The Strategic Rail Authority has invited comments on a consultation paper on its capacity utilisation policy. In order to make the best use of existing capacity at Paddington, the Authority intends to create a new Greater Western franchise out of the existing First Great Western, Wessex and Thames franchises.