Vol. 489 No. 5
14 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when funding will be available to upgrade the remaining 460 miles of main line rail track that consists of jointed track and wooden sleepers; when the new signalling system CTC will be put in place on these tracks; if she has received CIE's detailed investment plan in relation to these matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8366/98]
It has been clear since 1993 that an investment programme of some £800 million would be needed in the railway network over a 30 year period. By 1999, some £275 million of this programme will have been completed. However, further investment will be needed in all the main elements of the rail system — track renewal, signalling and rolling stock.
CIE was asked to prepare investment plans for the mainline rail network in the context of securing EU or other funding in the post-1999 period. CIE has recently submitted a discussion paper to my Department on mainline rail investment needs. However the paper identifies a need for further evaluation work, particularly an economic and financial appraisal of the proposed investment. CIE is in the process of appointing an independent consultant to complete this work.
