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Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Supplementary Provisions) Bill

I have chosen to oppose this clause standing part of the Bill in order to continue the discussion that we had at Second Reading regarding the development of Waterloo International station. We are of the opinion that the clause should make it explicit for the avoidance of doubt that the Secretary of State is able to fund and develop this vital part of the rail link legacy under the 1996 and 2005 Acts. This is, of course, especially pertinent given that funds are likely to be received following the restructuring and sale. The decisions about Waterloo International seem to have the air of afterthoughts rather than being timely and properly thought out. In 2004, the decision was taken to move all Eurostar operations from Waterloo International to St Pancras. Part of that deal was to develop the vacant platforms left behind. At that time, Eurostar’s director of communications listed a key benefit of the move as being that, "““domestic commuters will benefit from faster access into Waterloo and the opening of more train platforms””." Waterloo station sees an estimated 60 million passengers a year, with trains frequently overcrowded and passenger growth set to increase. I understand that the Government have plans for the station but I have not had a totally satisfactory response to my question as to whether funds raised from the sale of High Speed 1 could be used to address the urgent capacity problem. The Minister explained the Government’s plans as they currently stand more fully in his written response, and I can see from that the costs and timescales of the proposed work. The length of time it will take fully to utilise the asset beyond platform 20 is disappointing. It was mentioned that the timescale for implementation of the project across the south-western network is likely to be 2012 to 2014 due to the twin requirements of rolling stock procurement and platform extension to take 10 and 12-car trains. Have the Government exacting plans in place for platform extension or is the matter to be reviewed in the future? How certain is it that implementation will meet the timeframe? The Waterloo legacy has already proven somewhat disappointing and any further changes will serve only to add to this. Given the capacity there, I am looking for a firm commitment from the Government on this matter to ease the lives of commuters from Waterloo. I hope that the Minister will be able to provide this reassurance.