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21 Jul 2005 : Column 2139W—continued
Railways Act (Closures Manager)
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the purpose is of the appointment of a closures manager under the Railways Act 2005; and if he will make a statement; [13019]
(2) what the job description of the closures manager under the Railways Act 2005 is; and if he will make a statement. [13020]
Derek Twigg: There is not a Closures Manager post in the Department for Transport.
Taxis
David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Department has spent on taxis in each of the last five years. [6494]
Ms Buck: The Department for Transport came into existence on 29 May 2002, following machinery of Government changes. In financial year 2002–03 the Department spent £74,097.48 on taxis, in 2003–04 £87,140.21, and in 2004–05 £97,853.28. These figures do not include the Department's agencies as they do not record taxi fares separately from other travel costs and the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Transport Schemes
Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been (a) spent on and (b) committed to transport schemes within each growth area. [13788]
Ms Buck: Since 2000 and through to 2010, the current investments and future commitments to transport in the growth areas are as follows:
| Growth areas | Amount |
|---|---|
| Thames Gateway | £1.4 billion |
| Ashford | £46 million |
| Milton Keynes—South Midlands | £1.3 billion |
| London/Stansted/Cambridge/Peterborough | £800 million |
These figures cover schemes of over £5 million. However, the investment figures do not include CTRL Domestics services which benefit both Thames Gateway and Ashford growth areas.
21 Jul 2005 : Column 2140W
Tunnel Collapse (Gerrards Cross)
Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects normal services to be resumed between High Wycombe and Marylebone Station; [10349]
(2) when he expects a full report to be made to him on the recent collapse of the tunnel under construction at Gerrards Cross Station; if he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement; [10350]
(3) whether passengers delayed as a consequence of the recent collapse of the tunnel under construction at Gerrards Cross Station will be entitled to compensation; and if he will make a statement; [10351]
(4) what estimate he has made of the likely cost of clearing the railway tracks at Gerrards Cross following the recent collapse of the tunnel under construction at that station; and if he will make a statement; [10352]
(5) by what date he expects the tunnel under construction at Gerrards Cross Station which recently collapsed to be reconstructed; and if he will make a statement. [10353]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 7 July 2005]: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out an investigation into the collapse of the building works over the railway at Gerrards Cross. The HSE will record progress with its investigation on its website, and make public any recommendations made as the investigation proceeds.
The clear-up operation for the collapsed structure over the railway is being undertaken by Jackson Civil Engineering, the contractor for the store building project, and is being overseen by Network Rail. The final cost of the clear-up operation is not yet known. Approximately 5,000 tonnes of spoil blocked the line and work is under way to remove this. Arrangements are in place for the spoil to be hauled via road to an appropriate facility.
Network Rail is working with Jackson Civil Engineering to reopen the railway line as quickly as possible. It is currently not possible to make a firm estimate but it is expected that it will be a number of weeks before the line reopens. All current work on site is to clear the debris, establish the safety of the remaining tunnel sections and reopen the line as soon as possible. As far as we are aware no decisions have yet been taken on the future of the site.
Compensation arrangements will depend on the cause of the incident. Compensation arrangements for passengers are a matter for Chiltern Railways.
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to investigate the tunnel collapse at Gerrards Cross; and if he will make a statement; [10179]
(2) what compensation he expects to be paid to Chiltern Railways for the interruption in service caused by the tunnel collapse at Gerrards Cross. [10186]
Mr. Grieve:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment has been made of the timescale for reopening the railway line at Gerrards Cross; and if he will make a statement; [10406]
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(2) what estimate he has made of the tonnage of material which will need to be removed to re-open the railway line blocked at Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire; and where it is intended that that material will be taken after removal; [10407]
(3) what inquiries are being carried out by the Health and Safety Executive into the collapse of the railway tunnel at Gerrards Cross; and if he will make a statement. [10405]
Derek Twigg: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out an investigation into the collapse of the building works over the railway at Gerrards Cross. The HSE will record progress with its investigation on its website, and make public any recommendations made as the investigation proceeds.
The clear-up operation for the collapsed structure over the railway is being undertaken by Jackson Civil Engineering, the contractor for the store building project, and is being overseen by Network Rail. The final cost of the clear-up operation is not yet known. Approximately 5,000 tonnes of spoil blocked the line and work is under way to remove this. Arrangements are in place for the spoil to be hauled via road to an appropriate facility.
Network Rail is working with Jackson Civil Engineering to reopen the railway line as quickly as possible. It is currently not possible to make a firm estimate but it is expected that it will be a number of weeks before the line reopens. All current work on the site is to clear the debris, establish the safety of the remaining tunnel sections and reopen the line as soon as possible. As far as we are aware no decisions have yet been taken on the future of the site.
Compensation arrangements will depend on the cause of the incident. Compensation arrangements for passengers are a matter for Chiltern Railways.
Wheel Detachment Incidents
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many road fatalities arising from the loss of road wheels from commercial vehicles occurred in each of the last three years; and how many wheel detachment incidents there were in that period; [12943]
(2) if he will commission research to establish (a) the level of risk to road users of wheel detachment from commercial vehicles, (b) the efficacy of existing products that aim to prevent such wheel detachment and (c) possible solutions to wheel detachment; [12944]
(3) what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on (i) the risks to road users of wheel detachment from commercial vehicles and (ii) precautions to prevent such incidents. [12945]
Dr. Ladyman:
Figures are not currently recorded in the form requested, but the table shows the statistics that are available. It should be noted that there may sometimes be delays in listing figures while the findings of coroners' courts are awaited.
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Source:
VOSA Collision database
The former Department for the Environment, Transport and Regions carried out research into heavy vehicle wheel loss in 1997 in conjunction with the Association of Chief Police Officers. This research led to advice being provided to owners and operators of such vehicles on the benefits of good maintenance and regular effective checking of wheel nuts. A copy of the research report was placed in the House Libraries at the time.
Products are available in the marketplace that can either indicate loose wheel nuts or possibly prevent the wheel nut from falling from the vehicle. The Department is seeking a better understanding of the potential of these devices for road safety and is in the final phase of placing a new contract to research these matters.
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