§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when (i) he and (ii) his officials last had discussions with Connex South Eastern about the provision of bicycle accommodation on trains between Sevenoaks and Blackfriars; and if he will make a statement. [13443]
§ Mr. WattsNeither my right hon. Friend nor I have had discussions with Connex South Eastern about the carriage of bicycles on its services, which is a matter for it. The franchising director and his officials meet with Connex South Eastern regularly to discuss the operation of the franchise when any pertinent matter may be raised.
In respect of the carriage of bicycles on trains generally, the franchising director has included in franchise agreements a requirement that, so far as reasonably practicable, and subject to the availability of appropriate space on its rolling stock, franchisees should ensure that 734W facilities are made available for the carriage of cycles on trains. Franchise operators may not charge passengers unreasonable amounts for the provision of these facilities.
It would, however, be impracticable to require franchisees to make facilities available on all services. For example, not all existing rolling stock is designed to carry cycles. The provisions therefore strike a balance between the desire for operators to accommodate cyclists while acknowledging that it may not always be possible for them to do so.