§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes there have been to the required security checks carried out at the(a) English and (b) French sides of the channel tunnel since its opening; and if he will make a statement. [5537]
§ Mr. WattsThe required security checks vary according to the level of assessed risk. Similar arrangements exist at the French side of the channel tunnel, as agreed by the UK and French Governments.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the security requirements for(a) individual passengers and (b) lorries carrying freight, on the (i) English and (ii) French sides of the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement. [5538]
§ Mr. WattsIn the UK, the Channel Tunnel (Security) Order 1994 requires the operator of the tunnel and trains that go through it to put in place certain security measures.
Number of lorries (thousands) and weight changes 1976 to 1995 Number of lorries (thousands) 1976 to 1995 Year Rigids Articulated vehicles Two-axle Three-axle Four-axle All rigid vehicles Two-axle tractive unit Three-axle tractive unit All articulated vehicles 19761 — — — 433.3 — — 102.8 1977 — — — 379.0 — — 101.5 1978 — — — 394.8 — — 104.8 1979 — — — 396.1 — — 109.6 1980 — — — 393.4 — — 108.3 1981 — — — 384.4 — — 83.2 1982 — — — 347.4 — — 88.1 1983 308.7 26.4 16.7 351.8 83.1 1.8 84.9 1984 308.6 26.6 17.2 352.4 82.6 4.9 87.5 1985 305.5 26.0 17.6 349.1 79.7 8.2 87.9 1986 303.4 26.3 18.2 347.9 78.7 11.4 90.1 1987 302.4 26.7 19.1 348.2 78.4 14.9 93.3 1988 310.5 28.9 21.8 361.2 82.0 19.6 101.6 1989 311.7 29.4 22.6 363.7 80.8 23.9 104.7 1990 302.9 28.4 20.8 352.1 75.7 25.8 101.5 1991 285.2 26.4 18.8 330.4 69.0 25.7 94.7 1992 275.0 26.0 18.5 319.5 67.5 27.3 94.8 1993 268.0 26.1 18.5 312.6 68.3 29.3 97.6 1994 264.9 27.5 20.0 312.4 71.0 32.3 103.3 1995 263.1 27.8 19.6 310.5 72.3 35.1 107.4 1 Figures by axle number not available until 1983. Registration figures only exist for articulated tractive units, not trailers. 62W
Weight limits in 1976 and weight changes since Year Rigids Articulated vehicles 2 Axle 3 Axle 4 Axle 3 Axle 4 Axle 5 Axle 6 Axle 1976 16.26 24.39 30.49 24.39 32.52 32.52 32.52 1983 — — — — — 38.00 38.00 1988 17.00 — — — — — — 1993 — 26.00 32.00 26.00 35.00 — — 19941 — — — — — — 44.00 1 44 tonnes is allowed for lorries carrying containers or swap-bodies in combined road/rail movements. All traffic is liable to be security screened. It is not our practice to reveal details of the actual measures. Similar requirements exist on the French side of the tunnel.