HC Deb 02 July 1999 vol 334 cc289-91W
Mr. Woodward

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he was first informed that the engineering works on the Circle line might necessitate the suspension of the Circle line service. [88429]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Circle line service is not suspended. London Underground (LU) continues to operate services at all Circle line stations. Where possible, they are running extra trains on other lines to minimise passenger disruption.

LU first informed officials in my Department in November 1997 that engineering works might necessitate the closure of the Circle line between High Street Kensington and Gloucester Road stations.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the closure dates for(a) the Circle line and (b) the Northern line. [88603]

Mrs. Liddell

Engineering works between High Street Kensington and Gloucester Road, which are preventing a normal Circle line service from operating, began on 12 June 1999 and will continue to 16 August 1999. The Northern line City branch will be closed between Moorgate and Kennington from 3 July 1999 to 5 September 1999.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans have been made to provide alternative public transport for people who normally use the Northern and Circle lines. [88493]

Mrs. Liddell

Although engineering works are disrupting services, all Circle line stations remain open. London Underground are operating additional services on the Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, along part of the route where Circle line services usually run, and a normal District line service along most of the rest of the Circle line. Additional buses are also running on routes 16, 23 and 52. Underground tickets and passes are valid on these buses.

While the Northern line City branch is closed between Moorgate and Kennington, a rail replacement bus service will operate and there will be also be an enhanced service on the 133 bus which runs along the route. In addition, there will be a 15 per cent. increase in services on the Northern line Charing Cross branch. Alternative routes will be advertised and extra station staff will help to keep passengers informed.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of London Underground's planned investment in (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [88492]

Mrs. Liddell

London Underground's planned investment for these years is currently under review.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many trains were(a) cancelled and (b) more than 10 minutes late on the Underground in the last available month. [88489]

Mrs. Liddell

Between 2 May and 29 May, 1,258 trains were cancelled or withdrawn from service and 239 trains were delayed for more than 10 minutes.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of and how many tube travellers used(a) the Circle line and (b) the Northern line in each of the last six months for which figures are available. [88488]

Mrs. Liddell

As all stations served by Circle line trains and many served by Northern line trains are also served by other lines, London Underground (LU) are not able to provide detailed line specific information in the format requested.

However, LU estimate that 220,000 passengers use the Circle line and 540,000 use the Northern line on a typical weekday—6.2 per cent. and 15.5 per cent. of total network traffic respectively.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which tube lines other than the Circle and Northern lines London Underground proposes to close during the next 12 months. [88487]

Mrs. Liddell

London Underground (LU) proposes to close the Victoria line between Brixton and Victoria stations from 23 October until 7 November 1999. The Bakerloo line will be closed between Queens Park and Harrow and Wealdstone stations between 23 and 31 October 1999 while Railtrack, who own this section of the track, carry out engineering work. And LU are planning to close the District line between High Street Kensington and Earl's Court stations in June 2000 for approximately 10 weeks.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he was first informed that London Underground might have to close(a) the Circle and (b) the Northern line; and what meetings he held about these potential closures. [88486]

Mrs. Liddell

London Underground (LU) first informed my Department in November 1997 and September 1998 respectively that engineering works might necessitate the closure of the Circle line between High street Kensington and Gloucester Road stations and the Northern Line City Branch between Moorgate and Kennington stations.

I met the managing director of London Underground to discuss these closures on 23 June 1999. Issues such as these closures are also discussed by my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London when she meets each month with the managing directors of London Underground and London Buses.