§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when resignalling of part of the Gospel Oak-Barking line to replace obsolete semaphore and colour light signalling will be undertaken. [24490]
§ Mr. NorrisI understand form Railtrack there are no current plans to replace the signalling equipment on the Barking-Gospel Oak line.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the condition of railway viaducts and over-bridges on the north London line, between Gospel Oak and Camden Road stations; if they are able to carry heavy freight trains with special reference to the Mendip rail aggregate trains; what restrictions are currently being imposed on the section of railway between Gospel Oak and Camden Road; and what remedial works are required on the viaducts and over-bridges in the Kentish Town area to permit all freight trains to traverse the line.[24489]
114W
Road accident casualties by severity and road type in England and Great Britain: 1990–93 Non-trunk A-roads Trunk roads Motorways Killed Seriously injured Slightly injured Killed Seriously injured Slightly injured Killed Seriously injured Slightly injured England 1990 1,781 19,078 92,325 804 5,781 23,818 211 1,500 8,255 1991 1,604 16,441 85,628 649 4,650 21,363 208 1,272 7,775 1992 1,435 15,844 87,383 594 4,225 21,562 219 1,214 8,408 1993 1,374 14,724 89,209 526 3,853 20,712 181 1,233 8,912 Great Britain 1990 2,088 22,079 103,950 1,023 7,423 28,800 229 1,643 8,969 1991 1,855 19,160 96,429 848 6,165 26,086 234 1,394 8,377 1992 1,671 18,407 97,790 792 5,575 25,852 238 1,338 9,046 1993 1,589 16,871 99,160 689 5,035 24,933 201 1,338 9,507
§ Mr. NorrisRailtrack inform me that work is now under way on the arch at Kentish Town. This is due to be completed in mid-June and there can then be a resumption of freight traffic. Railtrack is at the moment carrying out a complete structural survey of the north London line.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if passenger services over the Gospel Oak-Barking line are delayed more than 30 seconds when freight trains are diverted over the line; and if passenger trains are cancelled to avoid Railtrack Anglia incurring financial penalties from the freight train operators. [24491]
§ Mr. NorrisRailtrack is required to treat both freight and passenger operators fairly. I understand from Railtrack that no passenger trains have been cancelled to avoid Railtrack incurring financial penalties. All train operators are entitled to penalty payments from Railtrack if their services are delayed.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much are the penalties imposed on Railtrack when passenger trains are cancelled on the Gospel Oak-Barking line. [24492]
§ Mr. NorrisPenalties for the cancellation of trains are payable under the existing track access agreement and are a commercial matter between Railtrack, the train operating unit and the British Railways Board. I understand that a new performance regime is currently being negotiated between the British Railways Board, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and Railtrack, and will be subject to the approval of the Rail Regulator.