§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what mechanisms exist to(a) challenge and (b) review the Strategic Rail Authoritys definition of the core proposition for rail franchises; [149496]
(2) what powers the Rail Regulator has in relation to the definition of the core proposition for rail franchises; [149502]
(3) what (a) instructions and (b) guidance he has given to the Strategic Rail Authority on the core proposition of the Transpennine Express Franchise; [149490]
(4) what powers he has to order a redefinition of the core proposition for a rail franchise; [149494]
(5) if his Department requires the Strategic Rail Authority to take account of (a) regional development plans, (b) SRB investment, (c) projected future passenger plans and (d) other factors in defining the core proposition for rail franchises. [149501]
§ Mr. HillThe Secretary of State will in due course issue new Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority under the Transport Act 2000 and in the meantime he has issued Interim Directions and Guidance effectively maintaining the instructions and guidance previously issued under the Railways Act 1993, a copy of which is in the Library. These include criteria for replacement franchises. The criteria do not include the specification of core propositions for the Trans Pennine Express or any franchise. These are matters for the authority.
The instructions and guidance require the authority to consult various bodies, including the Rail Regulator, regional planning bodies, regional development agencies and local authorities on the replacement of franchises. The authority also has a general objective to increase the 15W number of passengers travelling by rail. The Secretary of States consent is required to the award of a new franchise.
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if it is his Departments intention that the core proposition for rail franchises should be the level of service once provided by British Rail; [149498]
(2) what mechanisms he uses to safeguard existing levels of rail passenger service during refranchising; [149382]
(3) if he will instruct the Strategic Rail Authority to take account of the possible effect on the tourist industry of reducing the level of rail services. [149493]
§ Mr. HillThe Strategic Rail Authority has stated that all new franchises will be based on existing Passenger Service Requirements (PSRs), providing for a specified minimum service level. The existing PSRs are based on the level of services provided by British Rail at the time initial franchises were let.
The Authority expect bidders for the new franchise to surpass the minimum requirements, making proposals for development of services during the course of the new franchise. There are no plans to reduce the level of services. The core proposition for the new Trans Pennine Express (TPE) franchise is all limited stop, inter urban services currently operated by the existing North Western and Northern Spirit franchises. As a guide to the proposals expected, the Authority has produced specific development objectives for the TPE franchise which have been well publicised. The Authority has been consulting widely about the aspirations of key stakeholders.
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) on how many occasions officials from Strategic Rail Authority have met representatives from(a) Blackpool council and (b) Barrow in Furness council to discuss the Trans Pennine Express franchise in the last 12 months; [149383]
(2) what discussions there have been between the Strategic Rail Authority and (a) the North West Development Agency, (b) the North West Regional Assembly and (c) his Department concerning the refranchising of the Trans Pennine Express Service; [149491]
(3) on how many occasions officials from the Strategic Rail Authority have met representatives from (a) Cumbria county council and (b) South Lakeland district council to discuss the Trans Pennine Express refranchising in the last 12 months. [149492]
§ Mr. HillThe Strategic Rail Authority have been consulting key stakeholders about the Trans Pennine franchise for some time. Initial consultation meetings took place in Newcastle (6 June), Leeds (7 June) and Manchester (8 June). Invitees include all those authorities mentioned by my hon. Friend. A specially convened meeting took place on 19 January which included representatives of Blackpool borough and Cumbria county councils. In addition, the authority has met, separately, the North West Development Agency and the North West Regional Assembly. My Department is kept informed of progress on all replacement franchises.
16W
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his Departments definition of the terms(a) large towns and cities, (b) key transport hubs and (c) centres of economic activity is as used by the Strategic Rail Authority in its strategic development objectives. [149495]
§ Mr. HillThe Strategic Rail Authoritys definitions are not specific and are flexible but focus on key destinations on inter city rail routes, airports, motorway intersections and ports.
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the local transport play, settlement for Blackpool was made on the assumption of maintenance of the current level of rail services to the town. [149497]
§ Mr. HillWhen assessing the local transport plan for Blackpool, we considered both the current level of rail services and their growth potential. We took account of the proposal to provide a new multi-modal interchange and the fact that negotiations were taking place with train operators and authorities to increase the frequency and quality of rail passenger services to Blackpool.