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Channel Tunnel
11. Mr. Sumberg : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the likely implications for businesses in the north-west of England of the British Railways Board's proposals for direct freight and parcels rail services to Europe on completion of the channel tunnel.
Mr. Freeman : British Rail is still working up its plans for freight and parcels services. It hopes to clarify the position on freight services for the north-west around the end of the year. We recognise that tunnel freight service to the north-west is of great importance to business in the region.
16. Mrs. Margaret Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department intends to respond to the proposals contained in the draft European Community directive for investment to provide high- speed rail links between Scotland and the channel tunnel ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Freeman : The draft directive makes no such proposal, but a full electric service between Edinburgh and London is expected to start in 1991, and British Rail's plans for the channel tunnel include services between Scotland and the continent.
23. Mr. Andrew Welsh : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department intends to respond to
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the proposals contained in the draft European Community directive for investment to provide high-speed rail links between Scotland and the channel tunnel ; and if he will make a statement.24. Mr. Sillars : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department intends to respond to the proposals contained in the draft European Community directive for investment to provide high-speed rail links between Scotland and the channel tunnel ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Freeman : I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) earlier today.
46. Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has supplied to the European Commission on arrangements concerning the transport of nuclear fuel and waste through the channel tunnel ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Freeman : I refer the hon. Member to my written reply of 14 June, at column 304. There has been no change since then.
55. Mr. Pike : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has had on regional transport connections to the channel tunnel.
Mr. Freeman : We have received a number of representations to the effect that road and particularly rail services to the tunnel should be improved. The Government are confident that road and rail links to the tunnel will meet both passenger and freight demand.
London Underground (Crime)
12. Mr. Page : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest figures for crimes committed on the Northern line of the London Underground.
Mr. Parkinson : I understand from the British Transport Police that in the first nine months of 1990, the number of reported crimes on the Northern line was 1,977. During that time the Northern line carried over 150 million passengers. The introduction of pilot schemes at six stations at the southern end of the line, financed from a £15 million Government grant, has brought about a major reduction in robberies--from 52 in 1988 to eight in 1989.
Manchester Metro-link
13. Mr. Hind : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress there has been on plans to build the Manchester metro-link.
Mr. McLoughlin : Agreement to this important project was given by the Government last year with approximately £50 million of grant and additional revenue support will be given. The track bed has been laid in a number of streets in central Manchester, and we look forward to seeing services begin late next year.
A1
14. Mr. Beith : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the increase in traffic he expects to occur on the A1 north of Morpeth when the A1 south of Newcastle becomes a motorway.
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Mr. Chope : Traffic models prepared as part of the routes south of Edinburgh study took into account potential high growth and the upgrading of the A1 south of Newcastle. The predicted flows are substantially below the threshold criterion for dualling.38. Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional arrangements are being planned regarding the safety of the section of the A1 road which straddles the Scottish border after the A1 becomes a motorway ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Chope : My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, the Member for Edinburgh, West (Lord James
Douglas-Hamilton), has commissioned Borders regional council to carry out a feasibility study for a short extension within Scotland of the proposed A1 Marshall Meadows dual carriageway scheme.
Rail Electrification, Bradford
15. Mr. Waller : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received recently about the electrification of railways in the Bradford area.
Mr. McLoughlin : The West Yorkshire passenger transport executive has proposed the electrification of the railways between Leeds and Bradford Forster square and on to Shipley, Ilkley, Keighley and Skipton. We are considering this project for credit approvals.
Docklands Light Railway
17. Mr. Robert G. Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the privatisation of docklands light railway.
Mr. Freeman : The private sector already has a significant role in the expansion of the railway and that involvement will continue to be encouraged, but we have no plans at present to privatise the DLR.
21. Mr. Jacques Arnold : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much is being invested in the docklands light railway over the next three years.
Mr. Freeman : The docklands light railway plans to invest more than £250 million, mainly on completing the extensions to Bank and Beckton.
Greater London Stations
18. Mr. Gerald Bowden : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements are under way or are planned for stations in the Greater London area.
Mr. Freeman : Network SouthEast has a programme of improvements for all stations including those within the Greater London area. Since 1986 NSE has rebuilt or modernised 370 stations--nearly 40 per cent. of the total. A continuing programme of improvements is planned.
East Coast Electrification
19. Sir Marcus Fox : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress in electrifying the east coast route.
Mr. McLoughlin : The electrification of the east coast main line has made excellent progress. The line is
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electrified as far as Leeds, beyond York to Northallerton, and from Edinburgh to Berwick. Electric services have already been introduced from London to Leeds. British Rail plans to start electric services to Edinburgh in May 1991.Birmingham Relief Road
20. Mr. Gerald Howarth : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport is he will make a statement on the proposed Birmingham northern relief road.
Mr. Freeman : Proposals were received from the three tenderers at midday today. The Government expect to select a successful tenderer as soon as possible after a proper evaluation of the proposals.
Rail Transport, East Midlands
22. Mr. Tredinnick : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had recently with British Rail and European Transport Ministers concerning rail transport in the east midlands ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin : We are keen to see good rail transport throughout the country. It is for British Rail to develop any specific proposals for further improvements in the east midlands.
London Transport
25. Mr. Carrington : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was invested in London Transport last year.
Mr. Freeman : In 1989-90 London Transport invested £443 million --an increase of 35 per cent. in real terms compared with the previous year.
Disabled People (Transport)
26. Mr. Hill : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to improve transport for the disabled.
49. Mr. Hannam : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further measures he is taking to improve access to public transport for disabled passengers.
Mr. Freeman : Improving transport for people with disabilities is a continuing priority. Our plans are set out in "Transport and Disability--a Statement of Aims and Priorities.
Radioactive Materials (Transport)
27. Mr. Wallace : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the monthly average number of movements and volume of radioactive materials carried by ships in British coastal waters
Mr. McLoughlin : The Department does not collect data of the kind requested.
The safety regulations for the transport of all radioactive materials in this country are based on stringent internationally agreed standards laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In brief, these require safety to be "built in" to the design of the
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container used for transport so that the contents would not present a significant radiological hazard even in the event of a severe accident.Rail Freight Services
28. Mr. Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future financial prospects for freight services within the British Rail network.
Mr. Freeman : Much of rail freight is profitable and has good prospects, but BR's Railfreight distribution business, which includes the Speedlink wagon service, continues to make very heavy losses. BR is currently reviewing the future of Speedlink in consultation with its customers. We have set Railfreight an overall objective of earning a profit of £50 million in 1992-93 (at 1989-90 prices), and we are backing new investment in rail freight wherever it offers sound commercial prospects.
Road Signs
29. Mr. Speller : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on road signs along single carriageway A roads in rural areas.
Mr. Chope : Our policy is that traffic signs should be erected so as to convey clearly all relevant warnings, restrictions and prohibitions, together with other important information such as directions. Traffic signs are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, and the Traffic Signs (Speed Limits) Regulations, which are approved by Parliament.
Policy on driver information such as brown tourist signs is covered in administrative arrangements notified to highway authorities. Advice to highway authorities on the design and siting of signs is given in the traffic signs manual, published by HMSO.
Transport Investment
30. Mr. Knapman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what amount transport investment in the United Kingdom has changed in real terms over the last three years ; and what are the projected figures for investment over the next three years.
Mr. Freeman : In 1989-90 investment in transport through the Department of Transport's programme and the nationalised industries for which it is responsible was nearly 40 per cent. higher in real terms than three years earlier. In three years hence, on the basis of the plans shown in the public expenditure White Paper, it will be about 40 per cent. higher again.
Horses
31. Miss Emma Nicholson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to protect horses and horse riders who use the road.
Mr. Chope : Following the recent enactment of legislation requiring children under 14 to wear protective headgear, we are about to consult on regulations to bring the Act into force. We have also entered into discussions with the British Horse Society on measures to extend road traffic law to cover ridden horses and on possible amendments to the highway code to provide better advice to horse riders and motor vehicle drivers.
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Buses, London
32. Mr. Dykes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are planned to improve the flow of buses in London.
Mr. Freeman : The Government plan to propose legislation to implement a majority of the recommendations of the roads and utilities report on public utilities street works. We shall also be implementing the proposals in our consultation paper on "Traffic in London". London Transport has formed a new bus priority team to identify practical solutions to the bottlenecks which cause the most serious delays to buses.
Highway Code
33. Mr. Ian Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when a new edition of the "Highway Code" is planned.
Mr. Chope : We updated the "Highway Code" earlier this year to take account of the new requirements for children to wear rear seat belts. We will include some improvements to the artwork when we next reprint in early 1991. We will consider a complete revision of the "Highway Code" in the light of future legislative changes arising from the North report on road traffic law.
MOT Enforcement Inspectors
34. Mr. Hanley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many enforcement inspections of MOTs were carried out last year.
Mr. Chope : The vehicle inspectorate carried out 27,441 standard control inspections at MOT testing stations and investigated 2,728 individual appeals against the outcome of MOT tests in the year up to 31 March 1990.
London Traffic
35. Mr. Dunn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are planned to improve the flow of traffic in London.
Mr. Chope : I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Evans) earlier today.
Air Traffic Control
36. Mr. Alexander : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Civil Aviation Authority will invest in new air traffic control equipment and facilities over the next three years.
Mr. McLoughlin : The Civil Aviation Authority currently has plans to spend about £319 million on air traffic control equipment and facilities, in the three years 1990-91 to 1992-93. This includes expenditure on the new en route centre (a major new air traffic control centre for the southern part of the United Kingdom), and the central control function (a substantial reorganisation of south-eastern airspace). Both these projects will lead to significant increases in airspace capacity.
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Cycle Routes
37. Mr. Fearn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further progress has been made towards the provision of a network of cyclist routes in London and Greater London.
Mr. Chope : The London Cycling Forum, of which the Department is a member, has been consulting recently all London highway authorities on a proposed 1,000-mile network of cycle routes.
The Department has organised a seminar to be held on 7 November on "The Next Steps" in the development of the cycle network.
Car Exhaust Emissions
39. Mr. Andrew MacKay : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any proposals to check exhaust emissions from cars.
Mr. Chope : We are now consulting interested parties on draft regulations to introduce an emissions check in the MOT test. Consultation ends on 9 November 1990.
British Rail
40. Mr. Riddick : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the development of equality of service indicators for British Rail.
Mr. Freeman : Quality of service standards for the passenger sectors were first agreed in 1986. Some were revised earlier this year, as set out in my right hon. Friend's letter of 19 December to the chairman of British Rail, ( Official Report, 19 December 1989, column 227). British Rail is required to report progress in its annual report and accounts. More detailed reports are provided regularly to the Transport Users Consultative Committee.
Rail Electrification, Scotland
41. Mr. Malcolm Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to meet the chairman of ScotRail to discuss electrification in Scotland.
Mr. Freeman : We welcome proposals from British Rail for further electrification where that would offer good value for money.
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his discussions with ScotRail about the options for railway electrification of the (a)
Edinburgh-Fauldhouse-Shotts-Glasgow, (b)
Edinburgh-Carstairs-Glasgow and (c)
Edinburgh-Linlithgow-Falkirk-Glasgow railway lines.
Mr. Freeman : The £12.5 million electrification of the line between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Carstairs is under way and due to be completed by the spring of 1991. ScotRail is to introduce the new class 158 express diesel units on the route from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh via Falkirk and Linlithgow. A full service using these new trains will be in operation by the end of this year. I understand that ScotRail is still considering whether a case can be made for electrifying the route via Shotts.
Highway Schemes
42. Dr. Woodcock : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of highway schemes began construction last year.
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Mr. Chope : In 1989-90 construction work commenced on 125 miles of national motorways and trunk roads. In addition, 93 miles of local authority road schemes costing more than £1 million were started.
London Underground
43. Dr. Twinn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many London Underground stations are currently being modernised.
Mr. Freeman : Modernisation works are currently going on at 20 underground stations. By the turn of the century London Underground intends that every station will have been modernised.
Roundabouts (Accidents)
44. Mr. French : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the number of road traffic accidents occurring at roundabouts for each of the last three years.
Mr. Chope : The Department collects only information on road accidents involving personal injury. The number of injury accidents occurring at roundabouts and mini-roundabouts was 11,831 in 1987, 13, 037 in 1988, and 13,952 in 1989. The percentage of these accidents in which at least one person was killed or seriously injured has fallen from 15 per cent. to 13 per cent. over the period.
Learner Drivers
45. Mr. Nelson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to tighten up the supervision of learner drivers.
Mr. Chope : Since 1 October, those accompanying L-drivers have had to be at least 21 years old and to have held a full licence for at least three years.
Safety on the Move"
47. Mr. Marlow : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many safety campaigns his Department is running under the new "Safety on the Move" campaign ; and what areas they cover.
Mr. Chope : "Safety on the Move" is an umbrella campaign, bringing together the Department's existing safety initiatives and incorporating several new ones. To date, it embraces six campaigns, covering the following areas :
Child road safety
Coastal safety
Drinking and driving
Aviation security
Motorway litter
Bus safety
Further campaigns are being developed in co-operation with transport operators and the private sector.
Coach Parking, London
48. Mr. Simon Coombs : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has undertaken about the problem of coach parking in London.
Mr. Freeman : As part of the Government's role of encouraging positive co-operation among organisations
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