§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 15 February (WA 56–57), whether they consider ten, nine and nine months to replace escalators numbers 3, 5 and 8 at Notting Hill Gate Underground station to be a satisfactory performance; and [HL1349]
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 15 February (WA 56–57) on length of time taken to replace escalators at Notting Hill Gate Underground station, whether they will now commission a report to establish how many hours per day per week are worked on replacing escalators on the London Underground; how far these hours are a consequence of recommendations of the Health & Safety Executive: and whether they will make the results available to the House. [HL1354]
§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)>London Underground (LUL) inform me that the escalators at Notting Hill Gate station are some of the oldest on the network, all of them dating back to commission dates in 1959–60. The plan to replace all six in one major project therefore represents a very substantial programme of work designed to benefit customers, but with some inevitable disruption while key works are completed.
An alternative would be to close the station to allow work to proceed more quickly but LUL wished to maintain its service to customers. LUL therefore decided that it was best to keep the station open while closely monitoring the existing escalators in operation and ensuring that safety is paramount at all times. As I said in my earlier Answer of 15 February (HL 679) LUL's escalators are subject to very heavy-duty usage, and in many cases they are specially built for each individual location and have to be installed piece by piece on site. The actual time for each renewal can therefore vary according to the location and inherent difficulties such as space etc.
Her Majesty's Rail Inspectorate do not make recommendations regarding the hours of work on escalators at Underground stations. However, they do take the view that where major escalator works are taking place there may be risks to passengers should certain work be done when the station is open to passengers. As examples, "hot" work (such as flame cutting or welding) with its associated fire risk or movement of large equipment and materials would not be possible in a working station. LUL take account of these requirements in planning their work.
The Government are concerned about the issue of works on escalators, and believe that it is important for escalators to work smoothly and to be maintained, replaced and refurbished in the minimum time required which is consistent with safety and value for 55WA money. We are therefore encouraging LUL, in the interests of customers, to take steps to improve escalator availability.
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 15 February (WA 56–57), in view of the proposed completion date of September 2002 for the escalator renewal project at Notting Hill Gate Underground station, whether they consider it satisfactory that work on the project takes place for only a restricted period in the night. [HL1353]
§ Lord Macdonald of TradestonThis is an operational matter for London Underground (LUL), who inform me that it is necessary to place limitations on the type of engineering and related work undertaken where stations are in day to day operational use. It would not be desirable or efficient for heavy engineering work to be carried on through the day in areas which customers are passing through, for example because of noise and dirt associated with the work; and for staff or contractors to carry out work alongside moving escalators could be hazardous in certain circumstances. In practice, however, other work on the escalators is often carried out during the day.
Lord Lamont of Lerwick asked Her Majesty's Government:
Futher to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 15 February (WA 56–57) on out-of-action tube escalators at Notting Hill Gate Underground station, what advice they have had from the Health & Safety Executive about the dangers of prolonged out-of-action escalators in the event of a need to evacuate the tube station. [HL1352]
§ Lord Macdonald of TradestonLondon Underground (LUL) inform me that they regularly conduct risk assessments to ensure that the evacuation procedure of stations can be undertaken in a safe and efficient manner. The management of stations with escalators out of action has been discussed with Her Majesty's Rail Inspectorate (HMRI) on a number of occasions to ensure that the HMRI are satisfied that this is the best practice available. Furthermore, LUL consult the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority whenever needed to agree specific changes to flows of customers at stations with escalators out of service.