HC Deb 22 February 1989 vol 147 c658W
Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what have been the total costs incurred to his Department in the development and use up until discontinuance of the London area model at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

[holding answer 21 February 1989]: The total cost of the development and use of the London area model, up until the decision to withdraw it from further use, was some £138,000.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the total costs incurred to his Department by the use of the London transportation studies model; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

[holding answer 21 February 1989]: The Department assumed responsibility for the LTS model and databases on the abolition of the GLC. Contracts for the continuation of LTS services were placed first with the London residuary body and then from May 1987 with the MVA consultancy. We intend shortly to invite tenders for a new contract.

The total costs incurred for the period April 1986 to December 1988 were about £2.1 million. This figure covers development, maintenance and use of both the London transportation studies model and the databases associated with it.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any intentions to utilise a package of models to assist in the analysis of strategic policy options in relation to transport planning in London in view of inherent problems in any such model; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

[holding answer 21 February 1989]: The Department makes considerable use of mathematical transport models in its analytical work and, for London, the LTS is the principal model in use. The output from such models is only one consideration in deciding between policy options. Such models represent a much simplified view of the complex interaction between transport choices made by the individuals and the operational and financial consequences for the various transport modes. Great care has to be taken in interpreting their results.