1995-07-20 Watts welcomes Select Committee's completion of route consideration for CTRL (Department of Transport)

1995-07-03 Mawhinney shortlists Eurorail and London & Continental in rail link competition (Department of Transport)

_______________________________________________________________

date 20 July 1995
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 229

John Watts, Minister for Railways and Roads, today announced that the
Government is to reserve capacity for eight domestic trains per hour
in the peak direction on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL).

He also announced that the CTRL domestic services would be included
in the South East Trains franchise which serves a wide range of
destinations in Kent.

Negotiations with the two shortlisted bidders in the rail link
competition will now be taken forward on the basis of the level of
domestic capacity announced today.

Commenting on the decision, Mr Watts said:

"We have long stated that the new Rail Link should bring benefits for
commuters in Kent, as well as for international travellers. These
new domestic services could reduce journey times from Ashford and
Gravesend by up to 30 minutes. Commuters will also benefit from less
congestion, new rolling stock and new infrastructure."

Domestic services are expected to start as soon as the Channel Tunnel
Rail Link opens. The exact specification for services will be
decided by the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising, but services
are planned run to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link from a range of
destinations in Kent.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Channel Tunnel rail link will be a 67 mile high-speed railway
between London and the Channel Tunnel. The cost was estimated by
Union Railways - the former BR subsidiary which has acted as the
Government's project manager - at #2.7 billion. The Government will
provide a substantial financial contribution in recognition of the
domestic transport and regeneration benefits and also the very large
benefits to international passengers. The final figure will be
determined by the outcome of the competition to find a private sector
promoter to design, build and through EPS operate international
services on CTRL. The Government announced on the 3 July that two
bidders - Eurorail and London and Continental - had been shortlisted
(PN 198 refers).

2. Most of the route of the CTRL was announced on 24 January 1994 and
safeguarded the following month. A further announcement was made
covering two sections of the route - at Ashford and Pepper Hill, both
in Kent - in April 1994. This finalised the route.

3. A Hybrid Bill authorising the construction, operation and
maintenance of CTRL was introduced in Parliament in November 1994
and is currently being considered by a Select Committee of the House
of Commons. Royal Assent is expected in summer 1996.

4. The Government will announce the winner of the rail link
competition in the latter half of this year.


# = pounds sterling

Railhub Archive ::: 1995-07-20 DoT-003