HC Deb 22 October 2003 vol 411 cc571-2W
Chris Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the improvements to railway stations in Wales, broken down by(a) location and (b) cost in each of the last five years; and what the proposed improvements are for the next three years. [133054]

Mr. McNulty

In September 2002 £2.4 million was provided by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) for the installation of 'Inform Cymru' at 46 stations in Wales; in April 2002 £99,000 for additional car parking spaces, improved security and better passenger facilities at Haverfordwest Station; and £1.1 million for a new waiting room, toilet with disabled access, CCTV and Customer Information Service/PublicAnnouncement (CIS/PA) at Trefforest Station.

The new Wales & Borders franchise agreement which was signed on 20 October 2003 provides £400,000 for improving car parks, including those at Cardiff Central (Wood Street) and Newport. Under the Vale of Glamorgan scheme the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) is meeting the costs for the building of the two new stations at Rhoose and Llanwit Major. The Vale of Glamorgan line is expected to re-open in December 2004. The Welsh Assembly Government has also set aside £4.5 million for Wales & Borders to improve 47 of their stations before April 2004. The Ebbw Valley scheme, which provides for up to six new stations, is still under consideration by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he asked the Strategic Rail Authority to consider how the Great Eastern Main Line capacity can be increased; and what the response was. [133360]

Mr. McNulty

The Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority, first published on 11 April 2002, require it "to develop a policy for the utilisation of network capacity" — a copy is available in the Library of the House. The Strategic Rail Authority has developed a 'Capacity Utilisation Policy' to determine the most efficient use of the existing network. Individual 'Route Utilisation Strategies' (RUS) are being developed which will help inform the need for new services or infrastructure. The SRA plan to consult on the RUS for Greater Anglia in spring 2005.