HC Deb 23 February 1995 vol 255 cc286-7W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the environmental impact of channel tunnel freight trains in London; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Watts

The railway operators and the local authorities concerned have taken the lead in determining the environmental effects and dealing with them. My officials and I have followed this process closely and have visited some of the lines involved with local authority representatives and hon. Members.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representatives he has received regarding the environmental impact of channel tunnel freight trains in London; and from whom.

Mr. Watts

Since January 1994 I have received 113 representations from hon. Members and members of the public, and a petition from residents of west London. We have also maintained close contact with local authorities and railway operators on the subject.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he(a) has taken and (b) plans to take, to reduce the environmental impact of channel tunnel freight trains in London.

Mr. Watts

It falls to the railway operators to take measures to mitigate environmental effects. The measures include installing continuously welded rail to reduce the noise of wheels on the track; ordering a fleet of new wagons, which are quieter than existing stock; and working with local authorities to provide jointly funded noise barrier schemes for locations which remain noisy. Axle loadings of international freight trains are lower than for domestic, in accordance with internationally agreed standards.

The Government have assisted these schemes by providing supplementary credit approvals to the authorities. Noise will he further reduced by the introduction later this year of new electric locomotives, which will replace the diesels currently in use.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the volume of channel tunnel freight trains currently running through central London; and what volume of trains are projected for each of the next 10 years.

Mr. Watts

There are currently 11 trains a day in each direction. BR expects a gradual increase in frequencies to 27 a day each way by the end of 1996.