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Train Operating Companies
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received in respect of the performance of train operating companies. [72480]
Ms Glenda Jackson: Since January, my Department and the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising have received almost 400 representations on the performance of train operating companies.
Red Routes (London)
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the current mileage of red routes in each London borough; what was the figure for each of the last five years; and what is the anticipated figure for 1999-2000. [73764]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The red route network was designated by Statutory Instrument in 1992 (SI 1992/1372). The breakdown by borough is given in the table. Since 1992 the SI has been amended twice (SI 1995/1130 and SI 1997/1001) to make small changes to the network in Ealing, Haringey, Hackney, Hillingdon and Lewisham and to correct minor descriptive errors. The programme for the implementation of the red route measures is set out in the Traffic Director's Annual Report, a copy of which is in the Library.
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Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the length of bus lane for each London borough; what was the figure for each of the past five years; and what is the anticipated figure for 1999-2000. [73765]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I have placed the information requested in the Library.
Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the current mileage of cycle lanes in London broken down by borough; what were the figures for (a) 1989-90 and (b) 1993-94; and what are the expected figures for 1999-2000. [73823]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The information requested on the length of cycle lanes for the years 1989-90 and 1993-94 is not available. This is before the work on the London Cycle Network commenced and therefore no central body existed to gather and co-ordinate the data. Approximately 190 miles of cycle network were in place when work started on the London Cycle Network in 1995-96; however, it is not known what proportion consisted of cycle lanes. The following table shows the existing lengths of the London Cycle Network on a borough-by- borough basis as at April 1998. The expected borough- by-borough figures for 1999-2000 are not yet available but it is anticipated that in total there will be 1,000 miles of the network in place by the end of this period.
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| Authority | Mileage |
|---|---|
| Barking and Dagenham | 13.7 |
| Barnet | 29.3 |
| Bexley | 4.5 |
| Brent | 12.5 |
| Bromley | 41.3 |
| Camden | 11.9 |
| City of London | 0.10 |
| Croydon | 30.4 |
| Ealing | 40.6 |
| Enfield | 8.6 |
| Greenwich | 26.6 |
| Hackney | 12.9 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | 23.8 |
| Haringey | 13.3 |
| Harrow | 3.2 |
| Havering | 13.3 |
| Hillingdon | 29.0 |
| Hounslow | 33.7 |
| Islington | 11.9 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | 10.4 |
| Kingston Upon Thames | 30.8 |
| Lambeth | 7.8 |
| Lewisham | 9.3 |
| Merton | 21.7 |
| Newham | 14.1 |
| Redbridge | 18.5 |
| Richmond | 47.8 |
| Southwark | 25.5 |
| Sutton | 28.5 |
| Tower Hamlets | 14.9 |
| Waltham Forest | 30.6 |
| Wandsworth | 41.6 |
| Westminster | 19.4 |
| Total | 682.0 |
Notes:
1. There have been slight modifications to the network since 1997.
2. The Traffic Director for London and the Highways Agency will also be making important contributions, along the Priority (Red) Routes and some Trunk Roads, to the provisions for Cyclists in London.
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Strategic Rail Authority
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish legislation to establish the proposed Strategic Rail Authority. [74419]
Dr. Reid: If legislative time becomes available, we will introduce a Bill to establish a Strategic Rail Authority this session. If time does not become available, then we will publish a draft Bill later this Session, for introduction as a priority at a subsequent opportunity.
Montreal Conference
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will consult the air transport (a) industry and (b) users prior to the Montreal Conference in May; and if he will make a statement on the position to be adopted by the Government at the Conference. [74412]
Ms Glenda Jackson: The International Civil Aviation Organisation will hold a Diplomatic Conference in May for the purpose of adopting a new convention intended to replace all previous instruments of the Warsaw Convention for International Carriage by Air. Officials from my Department have been involved in the development of the new convention and have formally consulted representatives of UK airlines, airline users and principal practitioners in international air law. The views received will be taken into account by the Government at the Conference.
Rail Industry Subsidies
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the subsidy arrangements for the United Kingdom rail industry. [74420]
Dr. Reid: We are determined to ensure that Railtrack has adequate incentives to perform effectively and efficiently, and to develop the network, meeting the needs of customers and funders. That could point to a proportion of Railtrack's access income being paid direct by the proposed Strategic Rail Authority, rather than via train operators. We have asked the Rail Regulator for a report on this matter.
Within the overall context of our plans for the railway, financial responsibility for those passenger services that both start and end in Scotland will be transferred to Scottish Ministers.
Rail Summit
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Rail Summit. [74418]
Dr. Reid:
The Rail Summit was an important step towards our goal of creating within 10 years one of the best railway systems in the world. The passenger train operators and Railtrack share that aim and want to work together--and with government--to realise it.
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At the Summit, the Government:
announced they were prepared to renegotiate existing franchises and specified the criteria against which applications would be judged;
introduced Sir Alastair Morton as the new chairman of the British Railways Board and head of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority;
launched the consultation exercise which will lead later in the year to the shadow SRA's strategic plan for the railway;
announced the start of work on a National Passengers Survey and on ways of measuring more accurately train operators' performance;
promised legislation to regulate the rolling stock leasing companies if they do not voluntarily restrict their market power.
The passenger train operators jointly promised that:
on average, train services will be more punctual next year than they are now;
by 2002, half the current rolling stock fleet will have been replaced or refurbished;
by April next year, all stations in Great Britain will have passenger information systems;
an additional £39m will be spent on measures to improve the security of passengers.
The industry has given a commitment to work to deliver real improvements which are measurable year on year. There will be a second Summit in spring next year to review progress and maintain the momentum which was created on 25 February.
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