§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that Railtrack is expending fully the receipts from track access charges on the maintenance and renewal of rail infrastructure and buildings; [3470]
(2) what is the total sum collected in track access charges from each of the train operating companies by Railtrack; and what proportion of the track access charges so collected have been expended on the maintenance and renewal of rail infrastructure and buildings to date in each train operating company's area of operation; [3465]
(3) what steps he is taking to ensure that Railtrack is undertaking the work necessary to achieve prescribed standards of track and signal system maintenance, with special reference to the renewal of such infrastructure assets by modern equivalent forms. [3473]
§ Mr. WattsRailtrack is not required to expend income from track access charges only on the maintenance and renewal of rail infrastructure and buildings. Railtrack does not publish income figures by train operators, as I explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North (Mr. Dafis),Official Report, 28 November 1995, column 549.
Access charges for the period 1995–96 to 2000–01 have been approved by the regulator at a level which takes into account the extent of Railtrack's proposed renewal programme. The overall level of charges has been set with regard to Railtrack's total renewals expenditure, including major renewal projects, across the entire network. The nature and priority of projects is a matter for railtrack's commercial and operational judgment.
The Rail Regulator will satisfy himself that Railtrack does not increase its profits by reducing expenditure on the renewal of assets below the level needed to deliver its obligations to operators, or compromise the maintenance of safety standards.
Track access charges are not only used to cover the maintenance and renewal of rail infrastructure and buildings. Railtrack does not publish income figures by train operator, as I explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North on 28 November.
272Wpedestrians and cyclists, continued in the second period but in-car casualties increased. I regard further improvements in child road safety as a high priority.