The information requested is of an operational nature, and is not held by the Department. When it becomes necessary to cancel a train during its journey, it is understood the recorded cause would relate to the immediate operational reason, rather than to any crowding which may have contributed.
[holding answer 11 December 2006]: The Department is unable to release detailed passenger flow data of the number of rail passengers from Scotland and the North-West whose journeys continue beyond Birmingham as this would compromise the commercial position of train operators. However the New Cross-Country Stakeholder briefing document, published on the Department for Transport website at www.dft.gov.uk. gives examples of the level of passenger flows.
The following is an extract from the New-Cross Country Stakeholder briefing document.
The following tables offer data, derived from rail industry systems, as a reference towards the quantum of daily Cross-Country passenger flows originating at some key origin points:
Number Preston1 62 Birmingham NS1 108 Bristol TM2, 3 10 Plymouth2, 3 9 1 Denotes direct services available in New Cross-Country 2 Denotes change of train necessary in New Cross-County 3 Limited direct journey opportunities available with greater comparative journey duration
Number Preston1 60 Birmingham NS1 21 Bristol TM2 10 Plymouth2 2 1 Denotes direct services available in New Cross-Country 2 Denotes change of train necessary in New Cross-County
Number Bristol TM1 406 Birmingham NS1 109 Preston2 2 Carlisle2 1 1 Denotes direct services available in New Cross-Country 2 Denotes change of train necessary in New Cross-County
Number Bristol TM1 188 Birmingham NS2 78 Preston2 10 Carlisle2 4 1 Denotes direct services available in New Cross-Country 2 Denotes change of train necessary in New Cross-County
The sample below serves to illustrate that by swapping the terminating train in each hour at Birmingham from a service which has originated in Manchester to a service which has originated in Scotland, and has run via the English Lakes, the number of instances of people changing trains remains almost balanced.
Number Crewe to Glasgow inclusive stations 1101 Stoke and Manchester Piccadilly stations only 2119 1 Route north of Birmingham transferred to Virgin West Coast 2 New Cross-Country defined route
The Department recognises the need to assist all passengers when changing trains and acknowledges the challenges Birmingham New Street station can present to rail users. For many journeys where a change is necessary there will be alternatives such as Wolverhampton, which has seen recent investment in new waiting areas, lifts, a footbridge and customer information systems. Other alternatives include Banbury and Cheltenham Spa, where the operational layout of the station dictates that only same-platform changes are necessary. Derby is also an appropriate alternative where the need to change platforms is highly unlikely.
The information requested is not held by the Department. Train stations are managed generally by Network Rail and individual train operating companies. Inquiries relating to temporary platform closures should be made to Network Rail and the Association of Train Companies, which represents the interests of the train companies, to ascertain whether the information is available in the format required. The contact details are:
Network Rail
Media Office
40 Melton Street
London
NW1 2EE
Tel: 020 7557 8292
Association of Train Operating Companies Ltd
Media Office
3rd Floor
40 Bernard Street
London
Tel: 020 7841 8020
The Department and previously the Strategic Rail Authority have had a contract with one company—First Class Partnerships—relating to the procurement of specialist advice in connection with duties as ‘Operator of Last Resort’. The contract prices and payment schedule are commercially confidential. The latest contract, awarded in July 2004, was let following a competition from one of the Authority’s framework agreements. The framework agreement was let in full compliance with EU procurement rules. The contract was subsequently transferred to the Department in July 2005 when it assumed the Authority’s responsibilities. No train operating company has acted as operators as last resort on behalf of either the SRA or the Department.
I have frequent meetings with senior industry parties including Network Rail, to examine performance on the Network. Discussion centres on any particular performance problems on the Network, and on the action being taking as a result. I also discuss with Network Rail its current plans to ensure continued improvement on the system as a whole.
This is an operational matter for Network Rail, as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail’s Chief Executive at the following address for a response to his question.
John Armitt
Chief Executive
Network Rail
40 Melton Street
London NW1 2EE
I refer the hon. Member to my answer given to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael), 4 December 2006, Official Report, columns 9-10W.