1996-12-16 UK to receive #30 million funding from Europe for Transport Trans European networks (Department of Transport)

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date 16 December 1996
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

Railtrack today welcomed the announcement that the European Commission is to provide about £6.4 million for the development of transport schemes in Britain as part of its Trans European Network Programme (TENs).

The Commission has allocated about £5.75 million to Railtrack's £1.35 billion scheme to modernise the West Coast Main Line. The project is one of 14 priority Trans European Network Schemes and the Department of Transport, on behalf of Railtrack, has applied to the EU for grants which will be allocated on an annual basis. In 1995 £7 million was awarded.

In a separate award, approximately £650,000 was provided for a study examining the feasibility of upgrading a part of the Great Western Main Line. Railtrack is demonstrating its commitment to the region by contributing to the study which will focus particularly on the Devon and Cornwall portion of the route where line speeds are markedly lower than the line average.

The study assessing the potential to upgrade the Bristol - Penzance route will consider signalling, track geometry and clearances to assess what adjustments would be needed for higher speed operation.

Railtrack Great Western Zone Director Martin Reynolds said: "Railtrack is committed to building a railway for the 21st century. This feasibility study will enable us to examine the best options for our continuing investment in the region."

Railhub Archive ::: 1996-12-16 RTK-001