| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
22 May 2003 : Column 944W—continued
Thames Gateway Bridge
Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the funding of the proposed Thames Gateway river crossings. [114606]
Mr. Jamieson: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a wide range of issues.
Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made in developing plans for the Thames Gateway Bridge; and to what parliamentary procedures he expects the plans will be subject. [114604]
Mr. Jamieson: The Thames Gateway Bridge project is the responsibility of the Mayor of London and Transport for London. They are developing the plans and the business case for the scheme. The Mayor has asked the Government to promote a hybrid bill for the project. We are considering that request.
Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if toll revenues from the Dartford Bridge will be ring-fenced for the proposed Thames Gateway river crossings. [114605]
Mr. Jamieson: The Dartford net income forms part of the funding included in the 10 year transport plan. This income has not been ring-fenced for Thames Gateway river crossings.
Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether plans for the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge include segregated public transport lanes. [114602]
Mr. Jamieson: The Thames Gateway Bridge project is the responsibility of the Mayor of London and Transport for London. They are developing the plans and the business case for the scheme. Segregated public transport lanes are among the options being considered.
Traffic/Revenue Forecasts (Rail Companies)
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the companies and consultancies which have undertaken traffic and revenue forecasts for (a) the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, (b) the Channel Tunnel and (c) Virgin West Coast Franchise. [114981]
Mr. Jamieson: On the basis of information readily available to the Department, which covers the period since May 1997, forecasts have been produced, respectively by:
- (a) Booz Allen and Hamilton, Mott Macdonald, Arthur D. Little, LEK, London and Continental Railways
(b) none
22 May 2003 : Column 945W
Mr. Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority have had advice from Atkins, supported by Ernst and Young, and Roger, Tymm and Partners.
Train Operators
Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many train operators are running on a cost-plus basis; and what assessment he has made of the number of train operating companies that are technically insolvent. [114861]
Mr. Jamieson: There is one train operating company operating under a franchise agreement which is on a cost-plus basis. Four other train operating companies operate under "management contracts" where they are paid annually on a predetermined budget amount: any variances from budget are at their risk. No train operating companies are technically insolvent.
Trans-Pennine Franchise
Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the rationale for the Trans-Pennine franchise; and if he will make a statement. [115246]
Mr. Jamieson: No. The new Trans-Pennine Express (TPE) franchise was developed by the Strategic Rail Authority in consultation with the five PTEs affected. The reasoning behind the TPE franchise is that strategic, high quality rail links are needed to help increase the already significant level of economic activity and growth in the north, and that these services are best provided by a dedicated operator.
Travel Information
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards delivering integrated travel information. [115094]
Mr. Jamieson: Transport Direct was announced in "Transport 2010—The 10 Year Plan" in July 2000. Transport Direct will provide integrated travel information to help people to plan their journeys and to compare routes and prices across different types of transport. The ultimate vision for Transport Direct is to cover all types of transport within the UK, including rail, bus, car, ferries, air, trams, and taxis. Transport Direct will do three things:
- Tell the traveller what choices they have when planning the journey
Allow the traveller to book and pay for their journey at the time of making their inquiry
Advise the traveller about how their chosen travel option is performing in real-time before they set off.
22 May 2003 : Column 946W
We expect the first release of the Transport Direct portal to be available by the end of 2003, and will include:
- multi-modal travel information on the internet, covering road journeys as well as all public transport modes at a single point of contact
real-time (that is, actual rather than recorded or timetabled) train operating information
some booking of long-distance multi-modal journeys on the internet
development of Internet-based maps, which will allow travellers to examine public transport options both for visiting a specific venue and for general travel around an area they are considering visiting.
Trunk Roads
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of congestion was on the inter-urban trunk road network in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [114774]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 20 May 2003]: Congestion on inter-urban trunk roads can be measured in a number of different ways. One option, used in the Department's 10-Year Plan, is to take the difference between actual average speeds and estimated speeds achievable in the absence of congestion. Full details of the methodology are available on the DfT website.
The estimated level of congestion on inter-urban trunk roads in England, measured in this way, was 3.2 seconds per vehicle kilometre in 2000. No equivalent data are available for 2001 and 2002.
Urban Congestion
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of congestion was in large urban areas in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [114898]
Mr. Jamieson: Congestion in large urban areas can be measured in a number of different ways. One option, used in the Department's Ten Year Plan, is to take the difference between actual average speeds and speeds achievable in the absence of congestion, estimated by measuring night time speeds. Full details of the methodology are available on the DfT website.
The estimated level of congestion in large urban areas in England, measured in this way, was 24.8 seconds per vehicle kilometre in 2000 and 24.9 in 2002.
Vehicle Registration Numbers
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) objectives and (b) terms of reference are of the Modernisation of Vehicle Registration Implementation Board; what their programme of work is; and what provisions are in place to ensure wide consultation before decisions or recommendations are made. [115371]
Mr. Spellar: The Modernising Vehicle Registration Implementation Board was set up to carry forward the proposals made by the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science report on modernising the vehicle registration
22 May 2003 : Column 947W
system. The Board is driving forward a programme aimed at reducing vehicle crime and enhancing compliance with road traffic law in the UK.
The Board have advised on a package of improvements to tackle car crime, reduce car dumping and ensure that every vehicle has a traceable keeper. As a consequence of the Board's advice, a range of proposals were announced by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (David Jamieson) today that will significantly tighten the registration and licensing system, and make it much easier to deter and detect motorists who fail to insure or tax their vehicle. It will also be easier to trace the keepers of abandoned vehicles. The measures announced include; the registered keepers of vehicles remaining legally responsible at all times for taxing their vehicle, offenders will be penalised from the record when their tax-disc expires or Statutory Off-Road Notification lapses. Those that fail to comply will face a new automatic £80 penalty. Determined offenders could face a minimum £1,000 fine if taken to court.
The Government intend to consult on the secondary legislation that it plans to bring forward to implement these proposals. A wide range of stakeholders have already been consulted on these new measures and further consultation will take place as future initiatives are considered by the Board.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been raised in each of the past five years by the DVLA from the sale and auction of cherished registration numbers. [115372]
Mr. Spellar: Over the past five years, the scheme has raised, net and (gross):
| Year | Telesales | Auctions | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–99 | 31 (46) | 15(18) | 46 (64) |
| 1999–2000 | 34 (50) | 13 (16) | 47 (66) |
| 2000–01 | 43 (63) | 13(15) | 56 (78) |
| 2001–02 | 47 (69) | 17(21) | 64 (90) |
| 2002–03 | 53 (81) | 20.5 (26) | 73.5 (107) |
Since its inception in 1989, the scheme has raised over £720 million gross for the Exchequer.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the harmonisation of vehicle registration numbers across Europe. [115373]
Mr. Spellar: We have had no such discussions.
22 May 2003 : Column 948W
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who the members are of the Modernisation of Vehicle Registration Implementation Board; and what plans they have to consult with (a) motoring organisations and (b) those with knowledge of and an interest in classic or historic motor vehicles. [115374]
Mr. Spellar: The Modernisation of Vehicle Registration Implementation Board (MVRIB) membership, is made up of representatives of the Department for Transport, the Police, Home Office, Cabinet Office, No. 10, AA, RAC, the insurance industry, motor manufacturers, motor traders, and the TUC.
The AA and RAC representing motoring organisations, will continue to be invited and consulted as MVRIB meets in the future. My officials have also met with organisations representing the owners of historic vehicles, and we shall continue to include them in any future consultation undertaken in connection with the MVRIB programme.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |