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20 Oct 2005 : Column 1144W—continued
Free Travel
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the annual percentage increase in the number of passengers using buses following the introduction on 1 April 2006 of free travel for those aged 60 years and above; and if he will make a statement. [18503]
Ms Buck: The Government's initial estimate is that between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2007, bus patronage in England will grow by 5.6 per cent.
Impounded Vehicles
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars were impounded by each London borough in each year since 1997; and what the cost was to each borough in each year. [15832]
Ms Buck: Since 3 July 2000, the Mayor has had overall responsibility for traffic management in London. However, responsibility for parking enforcement in London, generally rests with the relevant local authority. London boroughs employ parking attendants to enforce parking controls on all the roads for which they are the highway authority.
The Government do not hold this information. However, the Association of London Government's Transport and Environment Committee (ALGTEC) co-ordinate parking enforcement on behalf of the London boroughs and compile parking statistics. Their address is:
Midland Mainline
Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely impact on Midland Mainline services out of St. Pancras of train traffic to the London 2012 Olympic village. [18488]
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Derek Twigg [holding answer 17 October 2005]: The impact of train traffic to the London 2012 Olympic village upon Midland Mainline services out of St. Pancras is expected to be minimal. St. Pancras stations' major role in the Olympic transport plans is as a terminus for the Olympic Javelin service, which will provide a regular service direct to Stratford with a journey time of approximately seven minutes. Midland Mainline passengers will have an excellent interchange with the Javelin service at the new St. Pancras station, for onward journeys to Stratford.
Motorways
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sites there are on the motorway and trunk road network marked with chevrons designed to ensure motorists keep their distance from the car in front; and what their locations are. [19996]
Dr. Ladyman: There are at present chevron markings at six sites:
In addition to the above sites works are currently in progress to install chevron markings on the southbound section of the M11 in Essex between junctions 9 and 8. This scheme is due for completion on 4 November 2005.
Powered Wheelchairs/Scooters
Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the sale of mini-motorcycles and powered scooters to minors; and if he will make a statement. [19336]
Dr. Ladyman: None, although we have received some representations from concerned members of the public about nuisance and road safety issues arising when such vehicles are ridden by children or adults on the public highway.
In the Department's view it is illegal to use vehicles not compliant with road traffic law on the public highway. It is for the courts to provide an authoritative interpretation of the law, and two High Court judgements have confirmed miniature motor scooters to be motor vehicles within the meaning of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended. We believe it likely that a similar judgement could be made on other vehicles, such as miniature motorcycles, should a court case arise.
Powered vehicles on the public highway must meet relevant construction requirements and be registered, taxed, insured etc. Drivers/riders must hold an appropriate licence and where necessary wear a suitable helmet. Enforcement of road traffic law is a matter for individual chief officers of police. In addition police forces can counter irresponsible use with powers under the Police Reform Act 2002 to seize vehicles being driven in a careless and inconsiderate manner or off-road without consent and in a way which causes alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public.
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I understand that the packaging on powered items such as miniature motorcycles or scooters generally includes a warning that they are not for highway use. However it may be that, once such packaging is discarded, this is overlooked or ignored. My Department and the Home Office have both issued guidance on our websites to remind the public about responsible use of these vehicles and possible penalties for mis-use.
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the results of his Department's review of laws governing the use of powered wheelchairs and scooters on the highway. [20149]
Ms Buck: The review has now been completed. We are considering the recommendations made in the final report and we hope to publish it before the end of this year.
Railways
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the award for the Integrated Kent Franchise. [18258]
Derek Twigg: Around 100 letters about proposed service patterns and other aspects of the Department's franchise specification have been received from local organisations, councils or MPs since January 2004. Ministers have met Kent MPs to discuss these issues on several occasions. Over the same period, around 1,280 letters on the subject of the Integrated Kent Franchise were dealt with by the Strategic Rail Authority, principally from members of the public.
The Department has also received around 140 letters from local organisations, councils or MPs, supported by a postcard campaign, on the related issue of South Eastern Trains being retained in the public sector.
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) for what percentage of stations on the rail network plans have been approved for the renovation to make them accessible to wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility; [15105]
(2) how many stations on the rail network are not accessible to wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility; [15106]
(3) what estimate has been made of the number of disabled people and people with reduced mobility who are unable to make journeys on the rail network because their local station is not accessible; [15107]
(4) what steps are being taken to improve accessibility to stations on the rail network for wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility. [15108]
Derek Twigg: The Department for Transport does not hold the information requested.
Under Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 station operators, like other service providers, are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that disabled people do not find it impossible or unreasonably difficult to access their services. Operators are responding to those duties.
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Accessibility improvements are being delivered by different mechanisms such as franchising, major projects, investment in rolling stock and maintenance and renewal of the rail network. Over half of railway journeys currently originate from step-free stations. The Government have also announced a ring-fenced fund—the Access for All Fund—to deliver £370 million worth of station access improvements across the network over the next 10 years. The fund was announced at the launch of the consultation on the Strategic Railway Authority's (SRA) draft Railways for All Strategy on how best to make the railway more accessible. We plan to publish the final Strategy which will establish priorities for the Access for All fund around the end of this year.
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions his Department has had with the association of train operating companies on encouraging train use by passengers, with particular reference to Gravesham. [19830]
Derek Twigg: I have not had any specific discussions regarding rail usage in Gravesham with ATOC. In order to encourage off peak travel into London and Kent, South Eastern trains and other train operating companies, in association with ATOC, have recently teamed up with a number of major tourist attractions to offer special deals to those travelling by train.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions road transport replaced trains between Swindon and Gloucester or Cheltenham in the most recent year for which figures are available. [18952]
Derek Twigg: In the year to 13 October 2005 road transport replaced trains between Swindon and Gloucester or Cheltenham on 33 days for planned engineering works. The Department for Transport does not keep records of the number of occasions on which road transport replaces trains on an unplanned basis.
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