Autumn decision for CTRL

Channel Tunnel Rail Link consortia Union Link and Green Arrow met with top ranking government officials this week to demand and receive reassurance that they are still in the running for the œ3 billion Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

The meeting followed reports last week that rival consortia London and Continental and Eurorail had been shortlisted.

Said one source at the meeting: 'These were top officials and they were adamant that no shortlist has been drawn up. They gave their word. Both consortia were reassured that they are very much still in the race.'

Transport minister John Watts dismissed the reports of a shortlist as 'absolutely untrue.' Speaking to CJ this week he said that the winning bidder would not be announced until the autumn.

'The evaluation work is continuing, the winning bidder is nowhere near selection yet,' he said.

This week CTRL sources said a final recommendation had been with the Transport Secretary Brian Mawhinney for the past two weeks.

Watts refuted these claims. 'It is not even at the stage where ministers are told the contents of the bids. This is all unfounded speculation.'