§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his plans are for the future of the Whitehead to Larne railway line. [94078]
§ Angela SmithFurther to my answers to Question ref. 82681,Official Report, 25 November 2002, column 24W, and Question ref. 82682, Official Report, 28 January 2003, column 770W, I can confirm that the plans for the retention of services on the Whitehead to Lame railway are set out in the "Regional Transportation Strategy for Northern Ireland 2002–12" (RTS). The intention is to retain services on this line, subject to successful results from the introduction of new trains and improved infrastructure on the "core" network in the early stages of implementing the RTS. Hence, in the short to medium term services will be retained on the Whitehead to Larne railway line, subject to normal safety procedures. However, no major improvements will be carried out until the assessments referred to above are concluded.