Passengers' hopes for a better and more frequent train service in Barnet were in jeopardy this week after Railtrack was taken into administration with debts of £3.3billion.
The £1billion Thameslink 2000 project already delayed by at least two years was designed to transform WAGN routes from New Barnet and Potters Bar, offering improved stations and longer trains running 24 times an hour through central London from Brighton to King's Lynn and Littlehampton.
It was due to be finished by 2007, but even that is now in doubt after Transport Secretary Stephen Byers successfully applied for Railtrack, the main funders behind Thameslink 2000, to be taken into administration on Sunday after a request for more government money was rejected.
A spokesman from appointed administrator Ernst and Young said any decision on Thameslink 2000 would remain with Railtrack's future successor since no contracts had been signed for the project.
"Only contracts for work which have already been signed or work that is already underway will definitely go ahead," he said. A final decision, he added, was not expected for a "number of months".
A public inquiry on the project closed in May this year and a Government report was expected next summer to allow trains to start running by late 2007.
Rufus Barnes, chairman of the London Transport Users Committee, said: "We share the concerns that London does need more rail capacity and we very much hope that the problems with Railtrack will not add to the difficulties in getting the new line improvements."
What is Thameslink 2000?
WAGN Great Northern trains serving Potters Bar, Hadley Wood, New Barnet, Oakleigh Park and New Southgate will run to Brighton and beyond rather than terminating at Kings Cross as at present
The length of trains will be increased from eight carriages to 12, with longer platforms at existing Thameslink stations. Train frequency through central London will increase from eight to 24 an hour at peak times
Trains that currently run from Bedford-Brighton will be able to go as far afield as King's Lynn and Peterborough to the north and Littlehampton and Eastbourne in the south
October 10, 2001 18:49
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