Rescue Services: Scotland
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the future of coastguard stations in Scotland; and what response he has made. [64660]
Mike Penning: The recent consultation on the modernisation of the coastguard prompted many responses. I continue to receive correspondence from the public and other interested parties about our plans for coastguard co-ordination centres in Scotland.
We expect to make an announcement about the way forward before the House rises for summer recess on 19 July.
Rescue Services: Sunderland
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of safety levels in waters off the port of Sunderland following the implementation of planned coastguard centre closures. [65285]
Mike Penning: No specific assessment of the waters off the port of Sunderland was made in the development of the proposals to modernise HM Coastguard that was published on 16 December 2010.
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The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has assessed the risks nationally associated in relation to the coastguard's current operation and how those risks are. mitigated by the modernisation proposals. On 11 February, the MCA published a suite of documents that provide a broad outline of the consideration of impact and risk in respect of the proposals. These documents are available on the MCA's website at:
www.dft.gov.uk/mca
River Thames: Bridges
Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the construction of a new Thames river crossing east of Blackwall to relieve traffic on the Dartford to Thurrock crossing. [64740]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport published a report in April 2009 on the current and future capacity requirements at the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing.
The Department made clear in its spending review announcement that it would embark on a review of the options for future capacity in the Lower Thames. The Department is in the process of programming this work.
Following that review, which is expected to take around 12 to 18 months to complete, the Department's
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intention, as part of the statutory process, would be to publicly consult on the merits of the potential options.
Roads: Repairs and Maintenance
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with National Grid on the effect on road congestion of the over-running of street works. [64109]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport holds regular discussions with the industry body the National Joint Utilities Group, of which the National Grid is a member. These discussions cover a wide range of matters, including over-running street works and the resulting impacts on congestion.
Rolling Stock: Procurement
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2011, Official Report, column 545W, on railways: rolling stock, what additional capacity the new carriages will create (a) in total, (b) for each rail franchise and (c) for each new rail project. [62497]
Mrs Villiers: The information requested is in the following table.
|
|
Number of new vehicles in daily service | Capacity (seats) |
| (1) Excludes fleet spares | ||
Street Wardens
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to facilitate the introduction of generic street wardens as specified in the provisions of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007. [61697]
Norman Baker [holding answer 23 June 2011]:In the absence of a robust case for change, we have no current plans to amend either the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 or our operational guidance relating to the limitations of civil enforcement officer duties. We will of course consider proposals for change if there is a well argued case to do so.
Thameslink: Contracts
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the number of jobs which (a) will be created in the UK as a result of the award of the Thameslink contract to an overseas consortium and (b) would have been created in the UK if the contract had been awarded to Bombardier Aerospace in Derby. [63726]
Mrs Villiers: The staffing level required to fulfil the terms of the Thameslink rolling stock contract is a matter for the train manufacturer and maintainer (TMM) to decide. Siemens Plc with Cross London Trains, the nominated preferred bidder, have stated that work on the Thameslink rolling stock contract could create up to 2,000 new jobs in the UK, including jobs in train component manufacturing, depot construction and train maintenance.
Thameslink: Rolling Stock
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the procurement contract for the Thameslink rolling stock contract was first tendered. [64983]
Mrs Villiers: The Thameslink Rolling Stock invitation to tender was issued on 27 November 2008.
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Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 June 2011, Official Report, columns 85-86WS, on Thameslink Rolling Stock, when the train maintenance contract for the rolling stock will transfer from First Capital Connect to Siemens. [65024]
Mrs Villiers: Assuming successful completion of contractual negotiations, Siemens will be responsible for the maintenance of the new trains when they enter service, commencing in 2015.
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 June 2011, Official Report, columns 85-86WS, on Thameslink Rolling Stock, if the Siemens plc bid specified whether train maintenance for the new Thameslink rolling stock will be undertaken primarily by (a) existing staff or (b) newly recruited staff. [65026]
Mrs Villiers:
The Siemens plc bid identifies the staff required for the maintenance of the new Thameslink rolling stock, and recognises that the posts may be filled by either existing First Capital Connect staff or by newly recruited staff, and that the Transfer of Undertakings
11 July 2011 : Column 208W
(Protection of Employment) Regulations may be relevant to existing First Capital Connect staff.
Transport: Carbon Emissions
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions were produced by (a) aviation flights and (b) rail services in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [64888]
Mrs Villiers: The carbon dioxide emissions for railways, domestic aviation and international aviation in each of the last five years for which data are available are given in the following table:
| Carbon dioxide | |||||
| Million tonnes | |||||
|
|
2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Source: National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. | |||||