§ John ThursoTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what timetables are in place following publication of The Future of Transport for(a) the start of construction and (b) completion dates of (i) Thameslink 2000, (ii) East London Line Extension and (iii) Crossrail. [187539]
§ Mr. McNultyThe timing of Thameslink 2000 depends on whether and when the necessary Transport and Works Act and associated powers are secured. Network Rail submitted revised applications in June 2004 which are likely to be considered by a public inquiry next year.
1337WResponsibility for the East London line extension project is transferring to Transport for London and its timing will be a matter for the Mayor.
The Secretary of State announced to Parliament on 20 July 2004 that he intended that appropriate powers for the construction of Crossrail should be sought by means of a hybrid Bill to be introduced in Parliament at the earliest opportunity. Previous experience, with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill, suggests that the Bill might take around two years to complete its passage. Construction could only start after this date.