HC Deb 15 October 2002 vol 390 cc710-1W
Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many transport(a) surveys and (b) studies underway cover Taunton. [74094]

Mr. Jamieson

The Government are funding through the Highways Agency two studies covering Taunton and one survey (at various locations). Similar information of a much more localised nature would be available from Somerset County Council itself.

Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the(a) reliability and (b) punctuality of rail services between Taunton and (i) London, (ii) Aberdeen, (iii) Plymouth and (iv) Penzance. [74093]

Mr. Jamieson

The Strategic Rail Authority publishes performance statistics for all train operating companies every three months inNational Rail Trends and every six months in On Track. The figures for each operator are not broken down to route level. Copies of these publications have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects new trains to be deployed on the Paddington to Bristol line in sufficient numbers to ensure that all Paddington to Taunton services use high-speed train sets. [74095]

Mr. Jamieson

The few remaining locomotive hauled (class 47) services to the west country were withdrawn with the introduction of the winter timetable on 29 September. Services are now provided by a combination of High Speed Trains (HSTs) and new Class 180 Adelante trains, both of which are capable of speeds of 125mph.