HL Deb 01 March 2004 vol 658 c88WA
Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that the existence of a single-track line with passing places on the railway between Salisbury and Yeovil is compatible with the demands of a modern railway system. [HL1466]

Lord Davies of Oldham

South West Trains will be introducing an hourly service from Waterloo to Yeovil in December but has not found it necessary to reinstate double track west of Salisbury. The Strategic Rail Authority has agreed with local authorities that this will be followed by an assessment of the likely demand for extending the hourly service to Exeter. The study will also consider whether any infrastructure improvements would be needed to allow thus to happen.