§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the proposals received by the Strategic Rail Authority for investment in signalling, track improvement and platform lengthening in the areas served by(a) South-West Trains and (b) Island Line; and which are included in forthcoming investment programmes. [89567]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Strategic Rail Authority announced a new approach to the South West Trains franchise on 6 November 2002. This involves a one-year extension to February 2004 and agreement of key principles with Stagecoach Holdings plc for a new franchise extending beyond then to 2007. The extension ensures the introduction of new trains and extra services but does not include infrastructure enhancements, which the Authority will develop separately. On 12 November 2002, the Authority announced that it had reached agreement with Stagecoach for the continued operation of the existing level of services on the Island Line until 2007. The Authority's Strategic Plan, the398W second edition of which is to be published shortly, will list investment priorities for the short and medium terms, as well as long-term goals for the network.