Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 January 2006. It was answered by Derek Twigg (Labour) on Thursday, 16 February 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Thameslink 2000

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the timetable is for the Thameslink 2000 programme; whether there are plans to divide the project into phases; what the timetable is for the provision of a new station at Kings Cross/St Pancras under the programme; what decisions have been made about funding; 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. I cannot at this stage comment on the merits of the scheme, in order not to prejudice the eventual decisions.The construction of the Midland Road station at Kings Cross/St Pancras was approved under the CTRL Act. The Secretary of State announced in a written statement on 8 February 2006, Official Report, column 50WS the decision to fit out this station, which should be ready to take its first passengers at the end of 2007.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 442 c2415W;442 c2414-5W; 46907
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Thameslink Station, St. Pancras
Wednesday, 8 February 2006
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects: Construction Railway stations Railways Thameslink Rail
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk