Written question asked by Hugh Robertson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 9 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 December 2003. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Monday, 15 December 2003 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Strategic Rail Authority has to develop train services to and from Faversham; what progress has been made with respect to phase 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link as it affects Faversham.

Answer: Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans the Strategic Rail Authority has to develop train services to and from Faversham; [143916] (2) what progress has been made with respect to phase 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link as it affects Faversham. [143917] Mr. McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority recently completed consultations on the proposed Integrated Kent Franchise. The consultation included options for domestic services on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) but the aim is to improve rail services throughout Kent, not only to destinations which might be served by the CTRL. Further consultations on a more detailed service pattern are planned for early in the new year and it is therefore too soon to say what the outcome might be for individual destinations. The CTRL domestic service options set out in the consultation are, regardless of the stations they might serve, dependent on completion of the line. Section 2 is on target to open early in 2007.

Secondary information