Rail Services (Hansard, 15 October 2002)

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority regarding high-speed rail lines to the North of England and Scotland. [71431]

§ Mr. Jamieson
None. The Strategic Rail Authority's study into the need for and viability of a high speed line running between London and the North of England and 705W Scotland is due to be completed later this year. The Authority will report the findings to Ministers at that time.

§ Mr. Baron
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what measures the Government are taking to improve train punctuality. [71432]

§ Mr. Jamieson
We have made it a priority objective for the Strategic Rail Authority to work with the rail industry to achieve substantial and lasting improvements in performance. They are doing so.

§ Mr. Boswell
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what changes to the rail network he plans. [71433]

§ Mr. Jamieson
The Strategic Plan, published by the Strategic Rail Authority in January 2002, sets out a series of projects and timescales which, if met, will deliver the targets set out in the Government's 10 Year Plan for transport.

§ Phil Hope
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on passenger rail services to Corby. [71439]

§ Mr. Jamieson
Under their franchise agreement Midland Mainline provide a bus shuttle service between Corby and Kettering Station to connect with train services. Initial studies have indicated that a rail service would require considerable continuing financial support. I understand that Catalyst Corby (the urban Regeneration Company for the area) is working towards a bid for Rail Passenger Partnership funds from the Strategic Rail Authority.

§ Sir Teddy Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made over the past three years in increasing the public use of rail services. [71442]

§ Mr. Jamieson
Usage of the railways, measured in passenger kilometres, has increased by nearly 8 per cent. over the past three years, from 36.3 billion in 1998/99 to 39.1 billion in 2001/02.

§ Norman Lamb
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on investment in respect of the Norwich to Liverpool Street railway line. [71436]

§ Mr. Jamieson
The Strategic Rail Authority is creating a new "Greater Anglia" franchise, through which it will consider ways of improving performance and replacing rolling stock on the Norwich-London route. The infrastructure on the route is currently affected by a backlog of renewal work and the SRA is considering options for addressing this.