Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Thursday, 29 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 July 2006. It was answered by Derek Twigg (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 July 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Railways

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has established a working group in his Department to carry out a feasibility study into the potential of additional high speed rail lines.

Answer: The Government have a manifesto commitment to look at the feasibility and affordability of a new north-south high-speed link. The Government have committed to take this forward in the development of a long-term strategy for the railways, drawing on Sir Rod Eddington’s advice on the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK’s productivity, stability and growth. The Department has established a working group to look at a range of options for inter-urban rail travel including, but not restricted to, high speed lines. The group’s work will contribute to the long term strategy for the railways to be published in summer 2007.

Secondary information