Written question asked by Andrew Dismore (Labour) on Monday, 9 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 January 2006. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Monday, 30 January 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Thameslink 2000

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what stage the approval by his Department of the Thameslink 2000 project has reached; what the estimated cost of the project is; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The public inquiry into the Thameslink 2000 project was re-opened between 6 September and 7 December 2005, following the submission of fresh applications by Network Rail to address deficiencies in the scheme identified by the original inquiry.The Inspector is currently preparing his report on the re-opened inquiry for submission to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Deputy Prime Minister, who are jointly and severally responsible for determining the various consent applications required to implement the project. We expect to receive the Inspector's report in March. We also expect to receive in the spring a report from London Travelwatch on the railway closures required to implement the project. The estimated cost of the project is £2.7 billion at 2001 Quarter 2 prices.

Secondary information