Threats to rail
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IIIII Plans to improve rail-freight capacity on the West Coast Main Line are in doubt.
A consultation document from the rail regulator published last week indicates that 42 additional "slow-line paths" for freight or slow passenger trains on the upgraded WCML could be lost as the regulator considers options that exclude them.
In 1998, following pressure from the rail-freight sector, the regulator approved the Virgin-Railtrack upgrade of the WCML on the basis of an additional 42 slow-line paths.
The possible scaling back of freight plans on the line could be due to ballooning costs. The upgrade, which will enable Virgin to run 140mph tilting trains, is now predicted to cost £5.5bn, compared with the original estimate of £2.3m.
Rail Freight Group chairman Lord Berkeley says: "Railtrack has an ongoing contractual obligation, enforceable by the regulator, to deliver the full upgrade at its own expense and commercial risk. If they will not deriver, then the regulator must take enforcement action."
The regulator's conclusion on the WCML upgrade is due to be published next month.