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Coach and Bus Accidents
Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) deaths (b) serious injuries and (c) minor injuries were caused to coach and bus passengers in each of the last 10 years excluding motorway accidents; and what percentage of the passengers in each category were standing. [40308]
Mr. Bowis: The numbers of bus and coach passenger casualties in non-motorway accidents in Great Britain are as follows for each of the last 10 years, together with the proportion who were standing in each injury category.
| Year | Death | Percentage standing | Serious injuries | Percentage standing | Minor injuries | Percentage standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 22 | 36 | 757 | 31 | 8,128 | 35 |
| 1987 | 12 | 42 | 727 | 33 | 7,600 | 32 |
| 1988 | 14 | 36 | 793 | 34 | 7,996 | 32 |
| 1989 | 18 | 11 | 757 | 33 | 8,627 | 31 |
| 1990 | 16 | 19 | 682 | 31 | 8,361 | 32 |
| 1991 | 25 | 28 | 624 | 31 | 7,444 | 32 |
| 1992 | 13 | 31 | 567 | 34 | 7,718 | 30 |
| 1993 | 22 | 18 | 610 | 30 | 7,845 | 28 |
| 1994 | 19 | 16 | 703 | 29 | 8,395 | 25 |
| 1995 | 21 | 24 | 699 | 26 | 7,643 | 27 |
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| Year | Deaths | Percentage standing | Serious | Percentage standing | Minor | Percentage standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 | 100 | 24 | 13 | 92 | 4 |
| 1987 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 3 | 187 | 2 |
| 1988 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 101 | 5 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 126 | 2 |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 194 | 4 |
| 1991 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 110 | 5 |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 114 | 6 |
| 1993 | 10 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 146 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 196 | 2 |
| 1995 | 13 | 0 | 17 | 18 | 143 | 3 |
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Bus and Coach Safety
Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated regarding the safety of standing passengers on buses and coaches; and if he will make a statement. [40309]
Mr. Bowis: The Department has commissioned research to examine the safety implications of EU proposals for harmonised bus construction. Safety of standing passengers will form one element of this work. The programme is planned to conclude in mid 1997.
Routemaster Buses
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement regarding the future of Routemaster buses. [40300]
Mr. Bowis: As long as Routemaster buses remain mechanically sound and meet the appropriate standards which apply to all public service vehicles, there is no reason why operators should not continue to keep them in service.
Motorists (Mobile Telephones)
Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorists have been (a) reported, (b) prosecuted and (c) convicted for using a hand-held mobile telephone while driving; and if he will make a statement. [39931]
Mr. Bowis: Using a hand-held mobile telephone while driving is not an offence, but a driver doing so may well be prosecuted for careless or inconsiderate driving or for
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failing to exercise proper control of a vehicle. Information on how many cases relate to the use of hand-held mobile telephones could be obtained only from original court records and only at disproportionate cost.
East London Line
Mr. Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to ensure that a co-ordinator is appointed to supervise the necessary preparatory work on the proposals for the southern extensions of the east London line; [40184]
- (2) how many companies have expressed an interest in bidding for construction of the east London line extensions; and if he will name them; [40186]
(3) what is the potential number of passengers that his Department estimates could transfer from the roads to a southern extension of the east London underground line to East Croydon, travelling (a) northwards and (b) southwards; [40193]
(4) what percentage of the east London line extensions costs he expects to be from public funds; [40187]
(5) what discussions he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister regarding the significance of the possible southern extension of the east London line with regard to access to the Millennium site at Greenwich, including access from Gatwick airport. [40197]
Mr. Bowis: Extensions to the east London line are a matter for London Underground Ltd., which is examining the possibilities of a scheme under the private finance initiative for northern and southern extensions. This work
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includes assessing demand for, and costs of, the possible routes of a southern extension, and consultations with the private sector on the scope for private finance. Some 40 companies have responded to those consultations, expressing interest in the project. I understand, however, that so far it seems likely that a significant proportion of the costs of any such scheme might need to be met from public fund; LUL will need to consider any proposals alongside their other spending priorities.
Mr. Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the east London line to reopen. [40185]
Mr. Bowis: I understand that London Underground is planning to reopen the east London line next summer.
Traffic Increases (Millennium Site)
Mr. Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what increase in road traffic in terms of passenger numbers, car journeys and road freight through the trunk routes of south-east London his Department estimates will occur (a) during the construction of the Millennium site at Greenwich and (b) following its opening; [40192]
- (2) what increase in rail and road traffic in terms of (a) passenger numbers and (b) car journeys from Gatwick airport his Department estimates will result from the Millennium site at Greenwich once it is opened; [40190]
(3) what increase in rail and road traffic in terms of (a) passenger numbers and (b) car journeys from Waterloo station his Department estimates will result from the construction of the Millennium site at Greenwich. [40191]
Mr. Bowis: The Department of Transport does not have this information. Forecasts of construction and visitor traffic levels for the exhibition are being prepared by consultants on behalf of the Millennium Commission.
Disabled People
Mr. Callaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve transport facilities for the disabled. [39964]
Mr. Bowis: The transport provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act will enable us to make regulations to require new buses, trains and taxis to be fully accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. Discussions on the shape of those regulations are already underway with the transport industries and the disabled persons transport advisory committee. Full public consultation will also take place.
The Department's mobility unit has recently published its annual overview which sets out in more detail the work which is going on in this area. As in previous years copies have been sent to hon. Members.
School Buses
Mr. Callaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he plans to take to ensure that school buses are clearly recognisable. [39962]
Mr. Bowis: School buses are already required by the road vehicles lighting regulations to display a "school bus" sign on journeys to and from school. The
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Department has no evidence to suggest that these measures are not effective.
London Commuter Services
Mr. Callaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by how much investment in London commuter services is planned to increase over the next year. [39966]
Mr. Bowis: I cannot anticipate the outcome of this year's Budget, which will be a factor in determining the funds available for investment by public sector operators, including London Transport. Substantial investment is planned by private companies now running trains in the former Network SouthEast area: Prism intends to replace two thirds of the London, Tilbury and Southend rolling stock by 1999; South Eastern plans to spend £400 million on a modern fleet for its Kent services, London and South Coast plans a major refurbishment of its rolling stock and the newly-franchised Chiltern line has already placed an order for new rolling stock.
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