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20 Nov 2002 : Column 181W—continued
Multi-modal Study
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role of demand management revenues in the funding process for new highway schemes proposed under the multi-modal study process. [81594]
Mr. Jamieson: We are considering the recommendations from a number of multi-modal studies and will make a statement in due course.
Open Skies
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress towards an open skies agreement with the United States; what discussions have taken place or are planned; what representations have been received. [81407]
Mr. Jamieson: Having earlier rejected UK proposals for the full liberalisation of the UK-US aviation market, in September the US Government rejected UK proposals for a partial liberalisation of the market. Although the US Government has not put forward any counter-proposals, they have indicated that for a limited deal to be acceptable it would have to include unrestricted fifth freedom rights for all-cargo services. They would not, however, be ready to open up the US domestic market to competition.
The Secretary of State has asked for further work to be carried out on the possible impact on such a deal on UK airlines and UK business. We are involving a number of interests in this work.
Quiet Lane Projects
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the Quiet Lane projects across England that are fully operational. [81745]
Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
There are two national demonstration 'Quiet Lanes' projects, one in the North Norfolk coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and one in the West Kent Greensand Ridge. They have been developed by the Countryside Agency, working on behalf of Defra, in partnership with Norfolk and Kent county councils, Department for Transport and the Transport Research Laboratory. There are also eight further areas which are developing 'Quiet Lanes' projects.
Radioactive Material
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many movements there were in each
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year since 1985 of (a) high-level and (b) intermediate-level radioactive material, (i) by train, (ii) by road, (iii) by air and (iv) by ship. [80859]
Mr. Jamieson: This Department does not hold statistical information of the type requested.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is permissible to transport (a) high-level and (b) intermediate-level radioactive material, (i) on passenger ferries and (ii) through the channel tunnel. [80860]
Mr. Jamieson: The transport of radioactive material on passenger ferries is permissible subject to the safety requirements and restrictions of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, Amendment 30–00, as required by The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997 SI 1997 No 2367); Merchant Shipping Notice No. M 1755(M), XThe Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants in Packaged Form—Amendment 30–00 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (MDG) Code" and, where applicable, The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel etc.) (INF Code) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No 3216).
Transport through the channel tunnel of radioactive material in/as Excepted Packages, solid non-combustible Low Specific Activity Material, solid non-combustible Surface Contaminated Objects and Type A Packages complying with RID 1 /ADR 2 is permissible only as authorised through Eurotunnel Freight by prior agreement between the manufacturer/producer and Eurotunnel. Radioactive material other than that in/as Excepted Packages is further restricted to new manufactured goods in their original packaging. In all cases material requiring two or more danger labels is not authorised.
- 1 Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) Appendix B. Uniform Rules concerning the Contract for International Carriage of Goods by Rail (CIM) ANNEX 1 Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) 2001 Edition.
- 2 European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) 2001 Edition.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents there have been, in each year since 1972, involving the transportation of radioactive material (a) by air, (b) by road, (c) by rail and (d) by ship. [80862]
Mr. Jamieson: Since 1989 information on accidents and incidents involving the transport of radioactive material in the UK has been published annually. The reports covering events in each year have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Data on events prior to 1989 can be found in the following reports:
1. Review of the Radiological Consequences Resulting from Accidents and Incidents Involving the Transport of Radioactive Materials in the UK from 1964 to 1988 (NRPB-M206)
2. Accidents and Incidents involving the Transport of Radioactive Materials in the UK, from 1958 to 1994, and their Radiological Consequences. (NRPB-R282)
These two reports are also available in the Libraries of the House.
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Rail Electrification
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the electrification of rail lines operated by diesel-powered rolling stock. [81593]
Mr. Jamieson: Our objectives are to deliver a reliable and safe railway focused on customer needs. The SRA will evaluate electrification projects against these objectives, giving due consideration to value for money and affordability.
Railway Stations
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway stations (a) opened and (b) closed in each year since 1972. [81587]
Mr. Jamieson: The information is given in the table.
| Year | Stations opened | Stations closed |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 4 | 16 |
| 1973 | 5 | 9 |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | 3 | 3 |
| 1976 | 8 | 1 |
| 1977 | 5 | 8 |
| 1978 | 12 | 0 |
| 1979 | 9 | 0 |
| 1980 | 4 | 0 |
| 1981 | 5 | 6 |
| 1982 | 10 | 0 |
| 1983 | 8 | 16 |
| 1984 | 14 | 1 |
| 1985 | 18 | 7 |
| 1986 | 27 | 7 |
| 1987 | 25 | 1 |
| 1988 | 25 | 2 |
| 1989 | 16 | 9 |
| 1990 | 21 | 2 |
| 1991 | 6 | 3 |
| 1992 | 15 | 3 |
| 1993 | 15 | 2 |
| 1994 | 17 | 3 |
| 1995 | 10 | 5 |
| 1996 | 4 | 1 |
| 1997 | 4 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 | 2 |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 2 |
Road Traffic
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change has been in road traffic levels in each year from 1997, taking 1997 as a base figure of 100; and what the projected levels are for each year to 2012. [81588]
Mr. Jamieson: Total road traffic in Great Britain is currently estimated to have grown by 4.9 per cent. over four years since 1997:
| Year | |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 1000.0 |
| 1998 | 101.5 |
| 1999 | 103.2 |
| 2000 | 103.5 |
| 2001 | 104.9 |
The Department's publication XNational Road Traffic Forecasts (Great Britain) 1997" projects Low and High rates of traffic growth, to take account of uncertainty in future growth of the economy and future fuel price. These figures do not take account of the 10 year plan. Applying these forecast rates to the 2001 index gives projected road traffic levels:
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| Year | |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 106.3 to 107.0 |
| 2003 | 107.8 to 109.1 |
| 2004 | 109.2 to 111.3 |
| 2005 | 110.7 to 113.5 |
| 2006 | 112.2 to 115.8 |
| 2007 | 113.4 to 117.9 |
| 2008 | 114.8 to 120.0 |
| 2009 | 116.2 to 122.2 |
| 2010 | 117.6 to 124.5 |
| 2011 | 119.0 to 126.7 |
| 2012 | 120.3 to 129.0 |
South Central Franchise
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the franchise for South Central has been reduced to seven years. [81578]
Mr. Jamieson: It proved impossible to agree terms for a 20-year franchise which both the SRA and Go Via found affordable and acceptable. The altered circumstances of Railtrack since the Hatfield derailment had a bearing. The uncertain impact of other rail projects, notably Thameslink 2000, was also relevant.
Transport Costs
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he collates on the average cost of travelling one kilometre by rail in each of the OECD countries. [81580]
Mr. Jamieson: A reliable comparison of fares requires comprehensive data on the range of different fares and discounts available, and the degree to which they are used. We do not collate such data, and are not aware that any other body does so either.
Travel Costs
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the real change in costs of travelling by (a) car, (b) train and (c) bus in each year since 1972, taking 1972 as a base figure of 100; and discounting inflation. [81589]
Mr. Jamieson: Information in the form requested is available only since 1974. The figures in the table have therefore been expressed on a base of 1974 = 100.
(27) Includes the cost of purchase, maintenance, fuel, tax and insurance.
20 Nov 2002 : Column 185W
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