Companies had until the end of January 2000 to table their interest in the project. The identities of those bidding remains commercially confidential until the bidding process is completed.
As part of the tender process interested parties were invited to contribute funds for the approval stage of the project, which will ultimately be given the go-ahead in a parliamentary vote. The vote has been insured to protect contractors and investors.
Commenting on today's announcements, Central Railway's Chairman, Andrew Gritten, said:"Today marks a significant moment for Central Railway. The level of interest expressed demonstrates that confidence is growing in this exciting project. 'I am now more confident than ever that Central Railway will deliver a new freight link which will take thousands of freight lorries off Britain's congested roads and contribute enormously to the Government's agenda for both transport and the environment."
Central Railway will communicate with all the companies who have expressed an interest by the middle of February. Owing to the large amount of work involved in dealing with so many applications, contracts involving tunnelling, rolling stock and electricity are likely to be amongst the first to be dealt with.
Notes for Editors:-
Central Railway is proposing to design, build and operate a new rail link connecting the North West to northern France. The line will run from Liverpool, via Manchester, Sheffield, the Midlands and London, through the Channel Tunnel to Lille in Northern France. -
The railway will be primarily for freight and will be open to all freight operators. In constructing the new line it is intended that a majority of the route will involve modernising and reinstating existing or disused railways. -
The railway will create a unique link into Europe as the only railway able to carry standard European freight and passenger trains (as well as any UK train) and standard road haulage equipment.