HC Deb 24 January 1995 vol 253 cc94-5W
Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains were cancelled; how many of those cancellations were attributable to(a) train breakdowns, (b) signal failures, (c) track/points failures, (d) leaves on the line, (e) staff shortage, (f) adverse weather conditions and (g) other factors; and what percentage of timetabled trains was cancelled in each of the Network SouthEast divisions in each four-week period during (i) 1992, (ii) 1993 and (iii) 1994.

Mr. Watts

The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the causes of train delays and cancellations that are(a) recorded and (b) not recorded in British Rail's four-weekly track record on punctuality and reliability under the terms of the citizens charter.

Mr. Watts

All train delays and cancellations are recorded in British Rail's track record figures apart from those caused by circumstances outside British Rail's control. Examples of the types of delays and cancellations included and excluded from the track record figures are as follows:

a) Recorded delays and cancellations

  • Delays and cancellations resulting from:
  • —Derailments
  • —Locomotive or train failures
  • —Infrastructure failures
  • —Engineering work
  • —Accidents and incidents
  • —Staff Shortages
  • —Leaf Fall
  • —Bad Weather

b) Non-recorded delays and cancellations

  • Delays and cancellations resulting from:
  • —Acts or threats of vandalism/terrorism
  • —Suicides/Accidents to trespassers
  • —Motor vehicles striking bridges or level crossings
  • —Line closures at the request of police or emergency services
  • —Gas leaks or fires in lineside buildings not caused by rail industry employees or agents
  • —Fire or failure due to electrical failure or defect not caused by rail industry employees or agents