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1 Feb 2006 : Column 558W—continued
Railways
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were employed by the Strategic Rail Authority; and how many were employed in a (a) technical or advisory capacity and (b) administrative posts. [41711]
Derek Twigg: As at 1 April 2005 the number of people employed by the Strategic Rail Authority was 409. A breakdown of this number is not available in the form requested.
As at 1 February 2006 the total number of people employed by the Strategic Rail Authority is 24. These remaining staff will be employed on issues affecting South East Trains and in carrying out work to enable the authority to be wound down later this year.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the change in the number of passenger kilometres travelled on the railways between London and Shrewsbury in each of the last five years. [45354]
Derek Twigg: Passenger miles travelled between London and Shrewsbury in the last five years, and the annual percentage change, are as follows:
| Passenger miles (millions) | Percentage change on previous year | |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | 9.4 | — |
| 2002–03 | 9.1 | -3.78 |
| 2003–04 | 8.9 | -1.32 |
| 2004–05 | 8.6 | -3.21 |
| 2005–06 | 9.1 | +4.82 |
Note:
For 2005–06, figures are available only for the period from April to January. To allow a proper comparison to be made, figures for other years also relate to the April to January period.
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Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have been caught travelling on the railway without a ticket in each year since 1997; how many were (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted; and if he will make a statement. [45990]
Derek Twigg: The Department does not hold this information as revenue protection is a matter for train operators.
Road Gritting
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding the Government have provided to local authorities for the gritting of roads in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [46326]
Ms Buck: Funding for routine highway and street lighting maintenance, including gritting, is provided to local authorities through the Revenue Support Grant, which is not ring-fenced to specific services.
Stonehenge
Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if Ministers or officials in his Department have discussed with the National Trust proposals from consultants for a new northern corridor route for the proposed A303 Stonehenge road improvement. [47004]
Dr. Ladyman: The National Trust wrote to the Department on 22 December 2005 setting out their views on the A303 Stonehenge improvement scheme review, including a suggestion for a specific northern route option. Officials will be meeting the National Trust to discuss this and other issues.
Road Maintenance
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of outstanding maintenance on roads for which his Department is responsible. [43614]
Dr. Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given him today [UIN 40579].
Safe and Efficient Drivers Scheme
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research and consultation his Department undertook before the launch of the Safe and Efficient Drivers Scheme. [47495]
Dr. Ladyman
[holding answer 31 January 2006]: The Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) Scheme has been highly successful in the truck sector. The Department undertook research in 2005 to study the van sector, to adapt and develop the existing scheme to be appropriate for vans and to pilot the training course to determine how effective it would be. The results were
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published on our website on 25 January 2006. A key stakeholder advisory group was formed to advise and steer this pilot project.
There was no formal public consultation on the scheme, though the stakeholder advisory group were key to developing the scheme and views on the concept were sought from the Road Haulage Forum. While the Government routinely consults on regulatory proposals, it should be stressed that this is not new regulation. There is no requirement on van drivers to undertake this training.
Safety/Speed Cameras
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the composition of the executive or boards of safety camera partnerships is determined. [47897]
Dr. Ladyman: Governance arrangements for safety camera partnerships are set out in the Handbook of Rules and Guidance for the National Safety Camera Programme for England and Wales, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House. All safety camera partnerships are required to have a steering group made up of senior representatives from each of the partners.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) locations and (b) roads concerned where fixed cameras are (i) in place and (ii) will be in place by 31 December for the purpose of monitoring vehicles for offences other than speeding. [46676]
Dr. Ladyman: The Department holds this information only in respect of red light cameras within the national safety camera programme. This is contained in a table that has been placed in the Library of the House. The information is correct as at 31 December 2005.
Strategic Road Network
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there is a backlog of maintenance to be undertaken on the strategic road network. [40579]
Dr. Ladyman: The strategic road network of trunk roads and motorways in England is maintained in a safe and serviceable condition on a whole life cost principle, identifying the appropriate maintenance treatment at the optimum intervention time. This ensures the best use of available resources and minimizes the impact on road users. There is currently no backlog of carriageway maintenance on the strategic network and consequently no estimate for outstanding works.
Sussex-London Rail Service
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the prospects for a fast rail service between the Sussex coast and London. [44809]
Derek Twigg:
Rail services between the Sussex coast and London are the responsibility of Southern as the incumbent franchisee. Changes to services can be proposed by the franchisee subject to the requirements of the Franchise Agreement and Network Rail approval.
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Some changes to services between London and the Sussex coast are proposed in the Brighton Mainline Route Utilisation Strategy (BML RUS). A decision and announcement about publication of the BML RUS is likely to be made shortly.
Traffic (Hammersmith and Fulham)
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his projections are for traffic growth in Hammersmith and Fulham for each of the next 10 years. [45267]
Ms Buck:
The Mayor has overall responsibility for transport in the capital (with the exception of trains). The Mayor is also responsible for providing a transport strategy which sets out proposals for improving transport in London and sets targets for traffic levels in
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London. The target for Hammersmith and Fulham is for traffic in 2011 to fall by 2 per cent. (relative to 2001 levels).
Further information on the Mayor's Transport Strategy can be found at http://www.london.gov.uk/approot/mayor/strategies/transport/index.jsp.
Train Operating Companies
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 20 December 2005, Official Report, column 2913W, on C2C/One Rail, if he will provide the same breakdown for all train operating companies. [42734]
Derek Twigg: The following table shows the number of cancellations, and the reasons for them, for the 20 additional Train Operating Companies with which the Department has franchise agreements.
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(8) Data for Virgin Cross Country is from 1 April to 11 December.
Note:
Data collated by individual TOCs against no set format.
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