[holding answer 21 January 2008]: 46 miles of new two track high speed railway were built by London and Continental Railways for section 1 of the channel tunnel rail link completed in 2003, and a further 24 miles were built for section 2 completed in 2007. The channel tunnel rail link was constructed as a public private partnership project with a 90-year concession and is not the direct responsibility of Network Rail.
Otherwise, the amount of railway built each year is an operational matter for Network Rail, as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's Chief Executive at the following address for a response to his question:
Iain Coucher
Chief Executive
Network Rail
40 Melton Street
London
NW1 2EE