Written question asked by Paul Truswell (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 March 2004. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Monday, 15 March 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to increase rail capacity (a) in West Yorkshire, (b) on the Wharfedale Line, (c) on the Harrogate Line and (d) on the Airedale Line; what representations he has received on increasing rail capacity in West Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to increase rail capacity (a) in West Yorkshire, (b) on the Wharfedale Line, (c) on the Harrogate Line and (d) on the Airedale Line; [160932] (2) what representations he has received on increasing rail capacity in West Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [160933] Mr. McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has published a Capacity Utilisation Policy and has also developed a new planning framework. A key aspect of this includes Regional Planning Assessments (RPA) which will form a basis for planning rail services over the medium to long term at a more detailed level. The SRA will produce the RPA for Yorkshire and Humberside in 2005, at which time specific capacity issues for the lines in question will be taken into account. I am not aware of any representations specifically on increasing rail capacity in West Yorkshire.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 419 c12W; 160932;160933
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Railways Railway network Airedale line Yorkshire and the Humber Harrogate
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk