§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effect of the extent of water seepage under the Thames on the operation of the Tube on rainy days.
§ Mr. FreemanEffective measures to tackle the incursion of water are a matter of major importance for London Underground as they are for other deep-level metro systems. I understand that they have plans for a five-year pumps and drainage renewal programme, which is estimated to cost £42 million.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek from the managing director of London Underground Ltd. a copy of the LUL internal inquiry into the incident of 19 February which resulted in the evacuation of approximately 1,100 passengers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanI have seen a copy of London Underground Ltd.'s (LUL) investigation into the incident. It was caused initially by a security alert. Suspect packages had been left on trains at Bond street and Liverpool street which meant that the service had to be suspended until the packages were declared safe.
Six full trains were stopped in tunnels between Mile End and Liverpool street. In the process of moving one train close behind another in order to evacuate the passengers through the trains to Bethnal Green Station, the two trains were unintentionally coupled, without the necessary precautions being taken to isolate their electrical connections. This caused overheating of the motor control equipment in one of the trains which resulted in a considerable amount of smoke issuing into the tunnel for a short time. The fire brigade was called, traction current was switched off, and 6,700 passengers were evacuated through the tunnel.
Unfortunately, one section of the tunnel lighting failed between Bethnal Green and Liverpool street and emergency arrangements had to be made to repair it. Despite this, no passenger was injured during the evacuation, but 33 people were taken to hospital suffering from heat exhaustion, stress and respiratory conditions. None was detained.
The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate has kept closely in touch with the investigation and is continuing to discuss the matter with LUL. A number of lessons have been learnt; some improved safety measures have been implemented and more are planned.
§ Mr. EvennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of the Minister of State, on 14 October,Official Report, column 9, if he will publish details of the investment in the London Underground system for the coming year.
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§ Mr. FreemanLondon Underground's investment programme for the coming year (1992–93) is subject to the outcome of the current public expenditure round. However, London Underground is currently forecasting investment expenditure for this year (1991–92) as follows:
Project 1991–92 outturn prices £ million Central line modernisation 125.3 Jubilee line extension 101.0 Stations 44.9 Engineering asset renewal 41.7 Lift and escalators 29.8 Trains (existing) 28.4 Signalling renewals 17.1 Crossrail 11.6 Depots 3.2 Passenger security 1.8 Other 44.5 Contingency 18.2 Total 467.6