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Written question asked by Lord Darling of Roulanish (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 January 2013, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 1 February 2013. It was answered by Simon Burns (Conservative) on Friday, 1 February 2013 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Great Western Railway Line

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on improving and upgrading the West Coast mainline between 2000 and 2012; and what estimate he has made of the amount needed to maintain and improve track and signalling on that line between London and Glasgow in (a) 2013 to 2020 and (b) 2020 to 2033.

[140799]

Answer

Most investment in improving the West Coast Main Line has been delivered by Network Rail to outputs specified with the Department for Transport. The West Coast route enhancement project delivered by Network Rail cost £8.8 billion and was completed in 2008.

Future maintenance and enhancement requirements for the route are established for each Control Period by the Government's High Level Output Specifications and Statements of Funds Available and Network Rail's Delivery plans.

Details of enhancements underway at the moment were set out in Network Rail's Control Period 4 Delivery Plan and includes work to be completed by March 2014.

Network Rail's Strategic Business Plan, published on 15 January 2013, sets out their plans for maintenance and renewal for Control Period 5 from 2014 to 2019. This plan is currently being reviewed by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Network Rail is expected to produce estimates for the period 2020 to 2033 during the course of Control Period 6 and 7.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
140799; 557 c1006W
Session
2012-13
Subjects
Repairs and maintenance Great Western main line
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk