HC Deb 17 June 1992 vol 209 cc527-8W
Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with the chairman of British Rail the implication for contingency planning of the emergency which occurred between Hither Green and Grove Park stations on the evening of Tuesday 9 June; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

I understand that British Rail is holding an internal inquiry into the 9 June incident when an electrical sub station at Grove Park flooded and caused the track supply power to be cut off. British Rail is looking at how best to deal with similar electrical engineering difficulties in the future and also at what improvements can be made in keeping passengers better informed.

Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what compensation under the citizens charter will be made to the passengers trapped for four hours on a train between Hither Green and Grove Park stations on 9 June.

Mr. Freeman

Under the passengers charter, with effect from January 1993, monthly and longer season ticket holders will be able to claim discounts when they renew their tickets if, during the preceding 12 months, performance has been more than a small margin below the standards set in the charter. The delays caused by the flooding of the electrical sub station at Grove Park on 9 June will be included in the performance statistics used for this purpose.

Other ticket holders who were delayed can make claims immediately.