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14 Mar 2006 : Column 2058W—continued
Pass Plus
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has had with insurance companies regarding reduced premiums for those that have (a) the Pass Plus and (b) other advanced driving qualifications; [57963]
(2) what assessment he has made of the impact of (a) the Pass Plus scheme and (b) other advanced driving courses on drivers' accident rates; [57964]
(3) what assessment he has made of the impact of the Pass Plus scheme on the payouts made by insurance companies for road traffic accidents. [57965]
Dr. Ladyman:
The Driving Standards Agency administers the Pass Plus scheme. The agency's chief executive chairs the Pass Plus Board which comprises representatives from the driver instruction and motor insurance industries. Some insurance companies offer premium discounts to newly-qualified drivers who have completed a Pass Plus course. Several advanced driving
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test organisations have negotiated discounts with insurance companies for their members who have passed an advanced driving test.
The Department has not assessed the impact of the Pass Plus scheme or other advanced driving courses on accident rates. We do not have the commercial data to assess any impact on payouts made by insurance companies for road traffic accidents. The Department commissioned a research project in January 2006 on how to improve the Pass Plus scheme and its take up by newly qualified drivers. This project is due to be completed in December 2007. We are also currently undertaking a large cohort study of novice drivers which includes the collection of data about accidents in the three years after passing the practical driving test. This has collected data on whether subjects in this study have taken Pass Plus training. The Driving Standards Agency is planning work with providers to assess standards of provision of advanced driving courses and ensure that minimum standards are met.
Railways
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the (a) reliability, (b) punctuality and (c) frequency of trains running to and from Gloucestershire; what plans he has to improve those services; and if he will make a statement. [56517]
Derek Twigg: Network Rail, are responsible for monitoring the performance and reliability of the train operating companies. Joint action plans are in place between Network Rail and the train operating companies to address performance and these are monitored monthly. In addition, I have held meetings with Network Rail and the train operating companies to discuss performance issues.
Under the proposed timetable to be introduced in December 2006 by the new Greater Western franchise, Cheltenham, Gloucester and the Stroud Valley will receive an hourly all-day weekday service to Swindon and London (changing at Swindon in alternate hours), with journeys reduced by up to 11 minutes.
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with (a) GNER and (b) the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) held on the rejection by the ORR of GNER's rail service proposals. [54291]
Derek Twigg: Officials from the Department have met GNER to discuss the implications of the ORR's provisional decision about additional London to Leeds services as required under the franchise agreement. The Department has since written to ORR.
Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the British Transport police have made of (a) the incidence of vandalism and (b) levels of passenger security at Llansamlet railway station. [56081]
Derek Twigg:
Llansamlet railways station has not been the subject of a specific assessment by the British Transport police (BTP) due to its low crime levels. BTP has set objectives in its Wales and Western Policing Plan regarding graffiti and route crime that directly target
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vandalism. A target has also been set around low level disorder which is designed to assist in maintaining passenger security. The station is regularly visited by BTP officers.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the contracts between the Government and Network Rail. [52148]
Derek Twigg: There are nine main contracts and a number of other associated agreements relating to credit support arrangements for Network Rail's borrowing to which the Secretary of State is party.
There are also a number of other contracts and agreements between the Secretary of State and Network Rail mainly relating to franchising, legal, and technical matters. These include five enhancement agreements and a number of agreements made pursuant to them relating to some 20 enhancement projects. A further five contracts and agreements relate to depots in the Integrated Kent Franchise area.
The Highways Agency also has some 23 contracts or agreements with Network Rail where payment has been made this year. This is regarding maintenance and other works concerning railway structures adjacent to the strategic road network. There are also other agreements against which no expenditure is currently being made.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many open access rail licences have been granted since 1997; and for which routes. [56524]
Derek Twigg: Since 1997, 11 passenger train operator licences have been granted to persons who were not also franchise operators. Of these, two licences have restricted scope—one authorises trains operating only to Heathrow Airport and one authorises international services only, four are for charter train services only.
The remaining five licences allow scheduled passenger services on any network. Wensleydale Railway plc operates services on its own network. The remainder operate on the national network, in Merseyside, Tyne and Wear, Stourbridge and between London and Hull.
The 11 licensed operators are:
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what restrictions he has placed on increases in the number of trains run by operating companies; and which of these restrictions apply to trains running to and from Staffordshire. [58073]
Derek Twigg:
The Department for Transport does not restrict franchised passenger train operators from running additional train services. This applies equally to
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the three franchised passenger train operators (Central Trains, Virgin Cross Country and Virgin West Coast) providing services in Staffordshire.
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of his Department's staff work on rail timetables. [57381]
Derek Twigg: The Department has 14 staff who work on rail timetables.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what change there has been in the number of trains operating in excess of capacity for each franchise since 1996; and if he will make a statement. [50509]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 14 February 2006]: Passengers in Excess of Capacity (PIXC), applies to weekday commuter trains arriving in London between 07:00 and 09:59 and those departing between 16:00 and 18:59 for the train operators. This information, from 1996 to 2004 inclusive, is set out in the Office of Rail Regulation's publication—National Rail Trends—copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that train operating companies and British Transport police improve security at stations in Lewisham; [55034]
(2) if he will provide assistance to Lewisham council to pilot partnership approaches to improving security at and around stations. [55035]
Derek Twigg:
South Eastern Trains and Southern, in partnership with Transport for London, are improving CCTV systems at stations within the London borough of Lewisham. The Department continues to work with the Office of Rail Regulation, Network Rail and train operators to encourage and promote such initiatives. There is also a commitment for the operator of the new Integrated Kent Franchise to improve station facilities and security across the network. Over £2.5 million will be spent on providing additional help points and installing additional ticket gates at stations, while CCTV systems will be enhanced within the first two years of the new franchise.
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I understand that South Eastern Trains are already in touch with Lewisham council about CCTV on stations in the borough.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when Platform 0 at Stockport railway station will become operational. [57998]
Derek Twigg: Network Rail advises that passenger services began using the new platform on 8 January.
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