To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the latest expected timing is of the (a) (i) start and (ii) completion of Stage 1 and (b) the delivery of the new units to the Thameslink franchise for Phase 1. (255998)

The Thameslink timetable change which comes into effect on 22 March 2009 marks the start of the Key Output One stage of the Thameslink Programme. This stage is due for completion in March 2012.

The first new Class 377 dual voltage unit was delivered to Southern trains on 30 January 2009. The remaining 22 units will follow over the next few months.