HL Deb 04 March 2004 vol 658 cc117-8WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In view of the statement in the London Olympic hid that "some of the more than £17 billion being invested in London's transport before 2012 will have a direct impact on games traffic", whether they will provide a breakdown of the projects and expenditure proposed. [HL1411]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the projects and expenditure proposed. This sum relates to the amount of public funding allocated for London Transport in the 10-Year Transport Plan progress report,Delivering Better Transport, published in December 2002. The 10-Year Plan allocates some £18.8 billion for London transport between 2004–05 and 2010–11. The Mayor of London has considerable discretion to spend his budget on his transport policies and proposals in keeping with his transport strategy under the Greater London Authority Act 1999.

Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What rail freight facilities in the Stratford, East London area are required on a temporary or permanent basis for the London Olympics; what consultation took place with the industry and customers before the bid was submitted; and what commitment was made to find acceptable alternative facilities. [HL1412]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The transport input to London's Olympic bid is in the development stage and how passenger and freight services operate during games is a matter for further development and negotiation.

The area of the Olympic Park in the Lower Lea Valley is covered by the Olympic master planning application, which was submitted to the four relevant London planning authorities on 30 January by the London Development Agency. The planning application proposes that the waste and aggregates rail heads at Bow Midland Yard be relocated for the duration of the games.

There was wide-ranging consultation on the masterplan before it was submitted, and it is now going through the statutory consultation period. In particular, the London Development Agency has been working closely with the Strategic Rail Authority on rail issues affected by the plan, including freight.

Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assurances were given in connection with the London Olympic bid about restricting the movement of freight trains in the Stratford area, or restricting air traffic approaching Heathrow Airport or London City Airport for the duration of the Olympic Games in 2012. [HL1413]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

None. The transport input to London's Olympic bid is in the development stage, and how passenger and freight services operate during the 16 days of the games is a matter for further development and negotiation.

The pre-qualification questionnaire submitted by London 2012 identified Heathrow as the gateway airport for the Olympics. Security will be of paramount importance for the Olympics but security requirements cannot be second-guessed at this stage.