§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to encourage(a) local authorities, (b) private sector bodies and (c) organisations and institutions involved in light rail to share best practice. [171946]
§ Mr. McNultyThe departmental officials meet regularly with scheme promoters and hold seminars from time to time to disseminate best practice and encourage dialogue between promoters. The Department has also part funded Leeds University's Institute of Transport Studies 'Consult Database' a web-based tool designed to disseminate best practice in local transport planning.
§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) which light rail systems that share road space with road traffic have priority over road traffic; [171949]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the percentage of proposed new light rail systems that will run across surfaces shared with road vehicles; and if he will make a statement; [171950]
(3) what percentage of current light rail networks run along surfaces shared with road vehicles. [171951]
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§ Mr. McNultyIt is for the promoters to assess the appropriate level of sharing and traffic priority, in the light of local circumstances. All the current and proposed light rail systems have sections of street-running and some degree of priority at junctions.
§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate his Department has made of the amount of heavy rail track still in use that would be suitable for shared use by light rail systems; and if he will make a statement; [171952]
(2) sport how many kilometres of track are shared by light rail and heavy rail vehicles. [171953]
§ Mr. McNultyThere are currently about 13 kilometres of track that is shared by light rail and heavy rail vehicles. The Department has made no assessment of the amount of the existing heavy rail network that could be shared with light rail services. However, The Passenger Transport Executive Group on Light Rail is currently looking at the feasibility of more sharing of track between light and heavy rail services and will be presenting their finding to the Department in due course.
§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what common safety and operational regulations are applied to heavy and light rail projects concerning dangers to pedestrians and motorists. [171955]
§ Mr. McNultyA number of regulatory provisions apply to both heavy and light rail systems. These include: the Level Crossings Act 1983; the Railways and Other Transport Systems (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulations 1994: the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994, and the Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1997. All are relevant statutory provisions under The Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974.
The measures necessary to meet these provisions reflect scheme specific risk, and so will vary depending on the nature and characteristics of the rail system concerned.
§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities have indicated to his Department that they are actively considering building tram and light rail systems. [171961]
§ Mr. McNultyNottingham City and Nottinghamshire county councils, Hampshire county council and Portsmouth city council, Blackpool borough council, along with all the Passenger Transport Executives have indicated to the Department that they are actively considering light rail proposals.