HC Deb 27 November 1998 vol 321 cc41-3W
Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the members of the task force which is preparing contingency plans for transport to the Millennium Dome; [60884]

(2) what is the remit for the task force preparing contingency plans for transport to the Dome; [60886]

(3) on what dates the task force preparing contingency plans for transport to the Dome (a) has already met and (b) will be meeting; [60885]

(4) when he expects the task force preparing contingency plans for transport to the Dome to have completed its task. [60887]

Ms Glenda Jackson

I have, through my Millennium Access Co-ordination Group, asked London Underground Limited to lead the production of contingency plans for transport to the Millennium Dome. Their remit is to prepare contingency arrangements to manage problems on any of the main transport links to the Dome site.

This work is being undertaken through a working group which involves the following organisations:

  • Association of London Government (ALG),
  • Association of Train Operating Companies,
  • British Transport Police,
  • Connex South Eastern,
  • Docklands Light Railway Limited,
  • Government Office for London,
  • Great Eastern Railway,
  • Highways Agency,
  • London Borough of Greenwich,
  • London River Services Limited,
  • London Transport Buses,
  • New Millennium Experience Company,
  • Silverlink Trains Limited, and
  • Traffic Director for London.

It was recently expanded to include the ALG, the Borough of Greenwich and the Traffic Director.

The working group has met four times and the fifth meeting is on 30 November. London Underground Limited have also held a number of separate workshops with individual members. Further sessions will be held over the coming months as the plans are developed in more detail.

It is expected that the contingency will be ready to be called upon from Autumn 1999 onwards.

Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the expected number of passengers who will travel (i) to the Dome and (ii) from the Dome via (1) Charing Cross, (2) Euston, (3) King's Cross, (4) London Bridge Station, (5) Waterloo International Station, (6) Stratford Station, (7) Liverpool Street Station, (8) Canning Town Station and (9) City Airport, on London Underground(a) Monday to Friday and (b) at weekends during 2000. [61144]

Ms Glenda Jackson

I am advised by London Underground Limited that this information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (i) eastbound and (ii) westbound underground trains will pass through North Greenwich station per hour on(a) Monday to Friday and (b) weekends in the year 2000. [61137]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The signalling capacity available by the year 2000 will be 24 trains per hour in each direction. The number of trains run will depend on demand. I understand that London Underground are currently working on the timetable based on projected demand. Details will be made available to the public in advance of line opening.

Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the expected number of passengers per hour(a) Monday to Friday and (b) at weekends who will use the Jubilee Line extension to travel (i) to and (ii) from the Dome. [61138]

Ms Glenda Jackson

London Underground's current projected figures for the numbers of passengers who will use the Jubilee line extension to travel to and from the Dome, based on a peak day (which could be any day of the week) are as follows:

Hour Arriving at Dome Leaving Dome
0800 570
0900 3,990
1000 9,690
1100 5,130
1200 570
1300 570
1400 1,710
1500 2,280
1600 2,850 3,420
1700 5,130 4,560
1800 2,280 2,850
1900 1,140 2,280
2000 2,280
2100 1,710
2200 2,280
2300 6,270
0000 1,140
Totals 31,350 31,350

Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the expected times of first and last trains on the Jubilee line extension on(a) Monday to Friday and (b) at weekends at North Greenwich Underground station (i) eastbound and (ii) westbound in the year 2000. [61136]

Ms Glenda Jackson

I understand that specific times are not yet available, but that London Underground are currently working on the timetable. Details will be made available to the public in advance of the line opening. First and last train times will be similar to those already in operation on the Jubilee Line and elsewhere on the Underground network (i.e. between approximately 0500hrs and 0045hrs, with slightly later opening times on Sundays).