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The Government has accepted the final decisions and route recommendations of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Select Committee said John Watts, Minister for Railways and Roads, today.
Responding to the statement made by Select Committee Chairman, Sir Anthony Durant MP, Mr Watts said:
"I am pleased that I have been able to meet the Committee's wishes. Not a single decision or recommendation has been rejected.
"This now paves the way for real progress to be made on this project of historic importance and I look forward to seeing the completion of its final stages in the near future.
Recommendations approved by the Government include:
-The establishment of an interdepartmental review of the scope, causes and effects of blight arising during the various stages of major infrastructure projects in order to ascertain whether any practical changes can be made to the existing national arrangements for property purchase and compensation.
- the acceptance of the Promoters' Developed Scheme, a new approach to St Pancras Station, which will meet local environmental concerns with fewer technical difficulties;
- the lowering of the line within the Boxley Valley.
The CTRL Bill has now completed its Select Committee stage. The Select Committee is expected to report the Bill shortly and to publish its Special Report soon afterwards. The Special Report will provide more detail on the decisions reached by the Committee. Subject to the Parliamentary timetable, the CTRL Bill should commence its consideration by a Standing Committee of the House of Commons next month.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link will be a 67 mile (108 kilometre) high-speed railway between London and the Channel Tunnel for both international and domestic passenger services. The cost was estimated in 1993 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.
