HL Deb 05 July 2000 vol 614 cc140-1WA
Lord Lamont of Lerwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied with London Transport's running of the Jubilee Line; and whether the number of interruptions to service and escalator breakdowns on a line with huge capital investment indicates management deficiencies. [HL3096]

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)

Jubilee Line operational matters are the responsibility of London Underground Limited.

Opening the Jubilee Line extension in 1999 (integrating existing and new infrastructure) naturally posed a number of challenges, and service on the line suffered considerable teething troubles. However it has since then been improving consistently and I understand from LUL that the extended Jubilee Line is now amongst the best-performing of Underground lines. There are over 120 escalators on the line. One has been out of service at St John's Wood and one at London Bridge. The former is now back in service and the latter is being dealt with by the manufacturer. There have also been one or two minor escalator stoppages elsewhere, quickly resolved.

LUL management has addressed the extended line's problems, and has instituted a programme of further work to continue improving its performance, in particular to increase reliability and reduce delays.