I anticipate that orders for additional carriages will be placed between now and 2010, the first of the carriages becoming available on the network by the latter part of 2008, with a view to completing delivery between 2009 and 2013. The precise phasing of the orders will reflect where crowding relief is most urgently needed; Network Rail's timetable for any platform-lengthening or increase in power supply which is required to accommodate longer trains; and the capacity of the suppliers of rolling stock.
It is too early to say where precisely the additional rolling stock will be used. The deployment of the new rolling stock will be agreed with the industry following the publication of the High Level Output Specification and the long-term rail strategy this summer, in accordance with the periodic review timetable set out in the Office of Rail Regulation's advice to Ministers published in February 2007.