HC Deb 23 June 1992 vol 210 cc119-21W
Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what forecasts have been made of the likely growth in(a) commuter traffic and (b) tourist traffic using river passenger services on the Thames; and what discussions his officials have had about an application for section 56 grant to invest in piers and vessels to accommodate growth in demand.

Mr. Norris

Forecasts provided to us by the Riverbus Partnership showed a projected growth in demand for Riverbus services from 400,000 per annum in 1991 to a peak of 750,000 per annum in 1993 with a gradual decline thereafter until 1997, when the demand is forecast to level off at about 400,000 per annum. I know of no forecasts of tourist traffic using other river services.

Ministers and officials have had several meetings with the Riverbus Partnership to discuss a possible application for a section 56 grant. Preliminary discussions were also held with another company contemplating setting up a service. Both have been told that grant would not be available in 1993–94.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy in respect of encouraging the development of river passenger transport in London; and what action he has taken in the last year to promote river passenger transport.

Mr. Norris

I should like to encourage greater use of the River Thames for both freight and passengers. I should welcome proposals from operators and others to develop services, including the means of financing them.

My officials have had discussion with river users and their representatives to explore the potential of the River Thames and its associated facilities. I intend that such discussions should continue.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he plans to take to safeguard the Riverbus services in the light of the impending withdrawal of its operating subsidy by Olympia and York; and what information he has on the numbers using the service daily (a) overall and (b) to London city airport.

Mr. Norris

I have looked at the possibility of providing an operating subsidy to Riverbus. I have concluded that such a subsidy would not represent good value for money in transport terms. I understand that 228,000 passengers used Riverbus in the first five months of 1992. Of these, 14,000 travelled to the London City airport.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received and what discussions he has had about the future of the Riverbus services.

Mr. Norris

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have received representations from the owners of the London City airport, from the airport's managing director, from two airlines, from the Riverbus Partnership, from the Port of London Authority, from the Chelsea Reach Association, and from 14 hon. Members enclosing a letter from the chairman of Mowlem, owners of the London City Airport. There have been no formal discussions about Riverbus.