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19 Apr 2006 : Column 710W—continued
Strategic Road Network
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many tunnels (a) under and (b) over the strategic road network have been built for the use of (i) animals and (ii) pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders in each year since 1997; and at what total cost in each case. [63660]
Dr. Ladyman: The Highways Agency has constructed a total of 92 over-bridges and 47 under-bridges or subways since 1997 at an overall cost of just over £122 million. The number and the costs of each type of crossing are given in the following tables.
Structures that are below 900 mm in diameter such as those aimed at supporting bio-diversity are not separately recorded and are therefore not included in the above tables. Such smaller structures are normally delivered as part of much larger schemes.
Traffic Lights
Mr. Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the total energy consumption per hour of traffic lights in (a) London and (b) England. [63774]
Dr. Ladyman: The Department for Transport does not collect data on numbers of traffic signals (traffic lights) and so has no accurate figures of the overall energy consumption.
Transport for London is responsible for all the traffic signals in London and estimates the energy consumption to be 3 MW/h.
The Department has previously estimated the number and energy consumption of traffic signals in UK but has not produced a figure for England alone. The likely power consumption was estimated to be of the order
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15.8 and 21.5 MW/h (in 2000). There were many assumptions made in producing these estimates and they should be regarded as indicative figures only.
Train Operating Companies (Pension Fund Deficits)
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which train operating companies have pension fund deficits; what the deficit is in each case; and what recent discussions he has held on the matter with (a) train operating companies and (b) others. [59065]
Derek Twigg: The results of the 31 December 2004 valuation of the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS) have revealed past service deficits for 29 of the 32 train operating company sections of the RPS have deficits, the other three sections are in surplus. Details of the deficit amounts and the funding level for each of these sections is shown in the following table:
It is for the employers (in consultation with their employees) to agree revised contribution rates with the trustees of the RPS in the light of the recent valuation. Ministers meet regularly with train operating companies and other rail industry representatives. A range of issues are discussed.
Train Timetable (West Country)
Mr. Steen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria the Department used in deciding to specify
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in the Greater Western Franchise that the first train from London to Totnes should not arrive before midday on weekday services. [60181]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 21 March 2006]: The specification for the Greater Western franchise was set to achieve value for money for the taxpayer and the travelling public and provide the best service for the greatest number of passengers across the franchise.
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria the Department used in deciding to specify in the Greater Western Franchise that trains between London and the West Country must call at Reading, with particular reference to (a) the Golden Hind and (b) the Cornish Riviera Express. [60183]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 21 March 2006]: Reading is a significant rail interchange, and calls there for London to West of England trains enhance their value for money. The specification for the Great Western franchise aims to provide the best service for the greatest number of passengers across the franchise.
Transport Projects
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what scoring of projects has been undertaken by the Government Office of the South West in relation to (a) the building of the new Gloucester Parkway Station, (b) the improvements to the A417 between Brockworth and Cowley and (c) re-doubling the track between Kemble and Swindon. [63587]
Derek Twigg: The Department requires all proposed major schemes to undergo rigorous scrutiny before funding can be agreed.
The Department has an appraisal system that all major schemes need to complete before funding can be allocated. Government Office for the South West provides advice throughout the process.
The latest position on the schemes specified are as follows:
(a) The Gloucester Parkway Station scheme was submitted by Gloucestershire county council in July 2005. The Department is currently assessing the scheme and an announcement is expected later this year.
(b) This is a Highways Agency scheme that was included in the regional funding allocation advice to Ministers in January 2006.
Transport Subsidies
Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on subsidies for (a) rail, (b) air and (c) bus travel in England in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [63503]
Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State my hon. Friend the Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck), on 12 December 2005, Official Report, columns 1621–22W.
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 1891W, on West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority, how much of that bus subsidy is from his Department. [63579]
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Dr. Ladyman: Between 1998–99 and 2004–05 the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority was allocated by the Department a total of £3.9 million in the form of Rural Bus Subsidy Grant and awards under the Urban and Rural Bus Challenge competitions.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much subsidy for public transport was allocated by (a) Hampshire county council, (b) Portsmouth city council and (c) Southampton city council in each of the last five years in (i) cash and (ii) real terms. [64044]
Dr. Ladyman:
The amount of subsidy allocated to public transport by these Councils is a matter for them.
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