Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of any increases in track access charges for High Speed 1 on the financial viability of the (a) current and (b) future Southeastern rail franchise.

The Periodic Review process that will determine the new Track Access charges is ongoing and is the responsibility of the rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). No assessment has been made, however we do not expect High Speed 1 (HS1) to make changes that would impact the financial viability of the current or future Southeastern franchise. DfT continue to work closely with the ORR and the other stakeholders, including HS1 and Southeastern, throughout the Periodic Review process.