JULY 13 is the deadline for anyone interested in financing the development and construction of the proposed Amsterdam - Antwerpen high speed line to respond to a consultation document issued by the Dutch government at the beginning of June. The Ministry of Transport’s high-speed line office has appointed Cameron McKenna and Greenwich NatWest to advise on the scope for private sector participation, which could cover up to 10% of the total cost.
Following the signing of an accord with the Belgian government which commits the Dutch to completing the route by 2005, the ministry is anxious to push ahead with the project. The final planning approvals are expected to be completed this summer, with contracts for the major civil works to be awarded by the end of the year.
The consultation document sets out details of the project and the government’s aim of involving private-sector promoters in some form of partnership. The responses are expected to stimulate a wider debate about the exact formula for private involvement, in time for the project office to invite formal tenders later this year. Issues flagged up for consideration include the allocation of capacity between international and domestic services, the relationship between the private promoters and the train operators, and the ownership of rolling stock, stations and other sub-elements.
Cost of the 300 km/h line is currently put at 17·5bn guilders, of which the majority will go on civil engineering work. Mechanical and electrical equipment will be expected to conform to the specifications of the European Rail Traffic Management System. o
