London, Tilbury and Southend Line

HC Deb 17 September 2004 vol 424 c1841W

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on overcrowding on the London, Tilbury and Southend rail line. [189365]

Mr. McNulty

I refer the hon. Member to the written reply given to him on 13 September 2004,Official Report, column 1382W.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the safety consequences of passengers standing on the London, Tilbury and Southend rail line; and if he will make a statement. [189366]

Mr. McNulty

None. Trains are designed to accommodate standing passengers and to operate safely when fully loaded.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact on overcrowding on the London, Tilbury and Southend line of the removal of four four-coach Class 357 trains from that line. [189515]

Mr. McNulty

None. The redeployment of rolling stock was agreed by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) to cover a potential shortfall in rolling stock elsewhere on the network. The rolling stock formations now in use on the c2c route are expected to accommodate demand. The SRA and c2c continue to monitor the impact of the changes on crowding levels on the route.