To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when the Secretary of State was informed that Network Rail intended to close the Great Western Main Line at Newport, South Wales for major engineering work over a 10 day period from 24 December 2009; and what (a) incentives and (b) sanctions are in place to encourage Network Rail to complete the proposed work on time. (308157)

Network Rail gave public notice of the planned engineering work at Newport on 13 November 2009. As is normal practice, no special notice was given to the Secretary of State for Transport in advance of this.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) is responsible for ensuring that Network Rail complies with its network licence. Significant engineering over-runs can constitute a breach of the licence. If this occurs, the ORR can impose a fine upon Network Rail, as happened following the over-runs in January 2008.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport (1) if he will estimate the amount of time that will be added to journey times for those travelling westwards to (a) Newport, (b) Cardiff and (c) Swansea as a result of the closure of the Great Western Mainline at Newport, South Wales from 24 December 2009; (308158)

The planning, timing, and duration of engineering works are operational matters for Network Rail under the industry-wide national possessions regime overseen by the independent Office of Rail Regulation. This regime incentivises Network Rail to plan the timings of possessions as early as possible to minimise the impact on passenger and freight train operators’ services.

Ministers and officials have received feedback from Network Rail on the duration, scope and benefits of the major track renewal, re-signalling and station upgrade projects in the Newport and Severn tunnel junction areas over the Christmas and new year period. Network Rail informed Ministers that they had considered alternative ways of carrying out the work, but that the scheme implemented minimised overall disruption to the travelling public.

Ministers emphasised to Network Rail the importance of completing the work on time to enable the smooth re-introduction of services on 4 January 2010 and I understand that this was the case.

I am due to visit the site of the works on 7 January 2010.

My hon. Friend should contact Network Rail’s chief executive at the following address for a more detailed response to his questions:

Iain Coucher

Chief Executive

Network Rail

Kings Place

90 York Way

London, N1 9AG.