HC Deb 23 June 1999 vol 333 c408W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of national railway track was classified as(a) poor, (b) good and (c) very good for each year from 1990 to date. [87603]

Ms Glenda Jackson

[holding answer 22 June 1999]The following figures are available from the Booz-Allen & Hamilton report commissioned by the Office of the Regulator:

Track quality 1994/95–1997/98
Condition percentage of network
Date Very good Satisfactory Poor Very poor
1 January 1994 63.7 26.2 7.1 2.8
1 January 1995 62.6 26.6 7.5 3.2
1 February 1996 58.8 28.3 8.8 3.9
19 February 1997 59.4 28.4 8.5 3.6
31 January 1998 62 26.8 7.8 3.2

These figures represent passenger comfort issues associated with the quality of ride experienced. It does not follow that track classified as 'poor' or 'very poor' on this measure is therefore unsafe.

Figures between 1990 and 1993 are not available on the same basis.