§ 34. Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans there are to improve services on the Northern line. [5605]
§ Mr. JamiesonOver recent years there has been enormous improvement on the Northern line. In the last five years, £330 million has been invested in the Northern line stations, tunnels and service, plus a further £400 million of private investment to provide 106 new trains. This investment has already delivered a faster, more reliable train service, eight station modernisations (with three more in progress), 6km of new track, increased security, and more Customer Care Assistants. The percentage of schedule operated reached a record of 97 per cent. in 2000–01—well above the network-wide performance. As a result the Northern line is now one of London Underground's (LU) top three performing lines.
Customers are noticing the improvements: Customer Satisfaction Surveys (CSS) show increases in the last five years in overall satisfaction with the Northern line service from 75 per cent. to 78 per cent. However, LU is continually looking to improve customer experience further. The plans for a publicly run, privately built Tube will ensure millions of pounds of substantial investment on the Northern line. Central to these improvements will be the installation of a brand new signalling system. This will allow over 25 per cent. more trains to run in the central area. In addition over 25 miles of track will be replaced in the first seven years of the modernisation contracts. This investment will build on the improvements already made and guarantee better services for years to come.