House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 18 Apr 2002 (pt 18)

Environmental Targets

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what assessment has been made of progress towards the environmental targets set as part of the 10-year plan; and if he will place it in the Library; [50521]

Mr. Byers: The 10-Year Plan for transport will contribute to the achievement of a number of the Government's environmental targets. "Transport 2010: The 10-Year Plan", Annex 2, lists the principal targets in the plan. Copies are in the Libraries of the House. In July we intend to publish the first report on the 10-Year Plan for Transport. The report will allow us to update the plan and take account of new developments, as well as reporting on our progress to date.

Environmental Assessments

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessments he has made of the environmental effects of electricity generation for rail use; and what comparisons he has made with the use of diesel locomotives. [49706]

Mr. Byers: The SRA commissioned work on the railway's environmental impact during 2001. The results are sensitive to factors such as the mix of sources of electricity generation, the type of diesel traction, and operational factors such as speed or loading. Given the current mix of fossil fuel, nuclear and other generative sources, carbon dioxide emissions per passenger km attributed to electric long haul express trains are about half those of some comparable diesel trains currently in operation. It is likely that the on-going introduction of more modern diesel trains will reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

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With the exception of sulphur oxides, most of rail's emissions of particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds are from diesel trains. Again, the on-going introduction of more modern diesel locomotives offers benefits—for example, reducing the level of emissions per tonne-km of these pollutants.

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the estimated environmental benefit is of increasing the number passenger kilometres of rail use by (a) 10 per cent., (b) 20 per cent., (c) 30 per cent., (d) 40 per cent., (e) 50 per cent. and (f) 60 per cent. by 2010–11. [49703]

Mr. Byers: The environmental effect will vary depending on how the increase in rail passenger kilometres is achieved. An increase in rail use will, in general, cause an increase in emissions from the rail sector. However, to the extent that this is achieved through modal shift from more environmentally damaging modes, and accompanied by greater use of more fuel efficient rolling stock, there will be offsetting benefits.

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment has been made as to the danger resulting from particulate emissions from road vehicles. [49449]

Mr. Byers: The Government's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) is charged with advising the Government on the effects of pollutant types on human health. Their 'Statement on Long-Term Effects of Particles on Mortality' published in April 2001, gave a detailed assessment of the effects of particulate emissions on human health, including those from road transport. This can be seen at the Department of Health's website at www.doh.gov.uk/comeap/.

A summary of COMEAP's findings was also included in the Government's 'Air Quality Strategy Consultation Document on Proposals for Air Quality Objectives for Particles, Benzene, Carbon Monoxide and Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds', published in September 2001. Both reports were placed in the Libraries of the House on publication.

Vehicle Emissions

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average level is of (a) carbon dioxide, (b) carbon monoxide, (c) benzene, (d) nitrogen oxide, (e) hydrocarbon, (f) lead, (g) sulphur dioxide and (h) particulate emissions, per mile, from (1) cars, (2) motorcycles, (3) vans and (4) HGVs travelling at (i) five mph, (ii) 10 mph, (iii) 20 mph, (iv) 30 mph, (v) 45 mph, (vi) 60 mph, (vii) 70 mph and (viii) 80 mph. [49456]

Mr. Byers: Detailed information on the emissions of key pollutants by various road vehicles running at different drive cycles is available from the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) website at http://www.naei.org.uk/emissions/index.php.

Raw data for emissions of pollutant species at different speeds are also available on a separate website http:// www.stanger.co.uk/airqual/modelhlp.

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what the average level is of (a) carbon dioxide, (b) carbon monoxide, (c) benzene, (d) nitrogen oxide, (e) hydrocarbon, (f) lead,

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(g) sulphur dioxide and (h) particulate emissions, per hour, from (1) cars, (2) motorcycles, (3) vans and (4) HGVs, at rest with the motor running; [49457]

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

Mr. Byers: The information is not available in the form requested.

Chiltern Franchise Renewal Agreement

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on clause 44 of the Chiltern Franchise Renewal Agreement. [47386]

Mr. Jamieson: Clause 44 of the Chiltern Franchise Renewal Agreement refers to miscellaneous provisions. The items covered are: variations in writing; waivers; disregard tolerances; change of framework; time limits; payments to be free and clear; partial invalidity; further assurance; rights of third parties; relationship with previous franchise agreement; and Authority's consent or approval.

Railway Use

Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many railway journeys have a standard single fare of less than £10; and how many such journeys were undertaken in the last year for which information is available. [51067]

Mr. Jamieson: This information is not held centrally.

Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how many passengers per year travel between Waterloo and (a) Southampton Central station, (b) Lymington Pier station, (c) Portsmouth and Southsea station, (d) Portsmouth Harbour station and (e) stations on the Island line; [51066]

Mr. Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority's (SRA's) annual report provides details of train miles, passenger miles, passenger journeys, route miles operated and the number of stations operated by each train operating company. The SRA's publication "National Rail Trends" provides quarterly figures on passenger kilometres and passenger journeys by ticket type and sector. Copies of the Annual report and "National Rail Trends" are placed in the Library of the House. Further information on particular journeys may be available from train operators.

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the estimated reduction in passenger kilometres travelled by road resulting from increasing the number passenger kilometres of rail use by (a) 10 per cent., (b) 20 per cent., (c) 30 per cent., (d) 40 per cent., (e) 50 per cent. and (f) 60 per cent. [49704]

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Mr. Byers: The reduction in road passenger kilometres resulting from an increase in the number of rail passenger kilometres will vary with the factors which have brought about the increase in rail passenger kilometres.

Rail Investment

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what private investment in railway infrastructure projects has been made since the start of the 10-year plan and into which projects; and what private investment is forecast for (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004. [49030R]

Mr. Jamieson: Nearly £7 billion of private sector investment has already been committed for the 10-Year plan period covering renewals and enhancement investment, rolling-stock investment and the CTRL. Over £1 billion has come since the turn of the year alone, through the GNER extension, Chiltern refranchise and South Central rolling stock order. Private sector investment will continue to be levered in through the franchising process, special purpose vehicles and specific funding schemes such as the Rail Passenger Partnership fund.

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