HC Deb 10 December 2001 vol 376 cc560-1W
Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what performance indicators on the London Underground are routinely monitored by his Department. [20114]

Mr. Jamieson

The Department routinely monitors progress towards achievement of the Government's performance and investment targets for 2001–02 that I announced to the House on 19 July 2001,Official Report, column 367W.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many signal failures there have been on the District line since 1 January between Earls Court and Wimbledon. [20117]

Mr. Jamieson

This is an operational matter for London Underground who inform me that there were 117 signal failures causing delays to services on the District line between Earl's Court and Wimbledon between the 1 January and the 10 November this year.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether London Underground holds an up-to-date register of its assets.[20122]

Mr. Jamieson

I understand that London Underground holds a register of its assets, in which assets are categorised according to their condition. Under the tube modernisation plans the infrastructure companies will be required to bring all assets up to a satisfactory condition.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many mechanical failures there have been on District line trains since 1 January. [20125]

Mr. Jamieson

This is an operational matter for London Underground who inform me that between 1 January and 10 November there were 31 train delays of over 15 minutes and 103 peak time cancellations of District line trains because of train defects.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much investment has been made in the London Underground, excluding Jubilee Line construction, in each year since 1995. [20116]

Mr. Jamieson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the then Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Keith Hill) to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 8 May 2001, Official Report, column 23W. The actual level of investment in 2000–01 was set out in London Transport's annual report 2000–01, published in July of this year.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when a detailed survey was last carried out (1) of London Underground's tunnels; and if he will make a statement; [20770]

(2) into the condition of London Underground's signalling; and if he will make a statement. [20769]

Mr. Jamieson

This is an operational matter for London Underground. In many areas London Underground infrastructure is old and of varied condition. Frequently, assets are in need of replacement or renewal. London Underground inform me that they carry out a regular and ongoing programme of inspections and surveys of tunnels, signals, and track. All tunnels are thoroughly inspected several times each week to identify any track defects.

Should any assets be found to be in a condition which has a possible safety implication, then remedial action is taken immediately or if that is not possible, mitigating measures are taken to ensure safe operation, for example, the imposition of a speed restriction. Where necessary, more extensive and/or frequent surveys are undertaken to ensure that no further deterioration takes place before a long-term solution can be implemented. Under London Underground's tube modernisation plans, bidders will have the resources to implement these long-term solutions more quickly than London Underground itself can at present.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what measures he proposes to tackle graffiti on the London Underground; and what account is taken of graffiti in the formulae relevant to the calculation of environmental ambience; [20963]

(2) what minimum measurements apply to (a) litter and (b) graffiti for qualification for inclusion in the periodic surveys of the ambience of London Underground stations and trains conducted by mystery shoppers. [20964]

Mr. Jamieson

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 6 December 2001,Official Report, columns 442–43W.