Railways in Parliament
HS2 natural impact
LIFE peer Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle asked the Government what assessment has been made of the natural capital destroyed so far by the construction of HS2, either by the Treasury Green Book guide or any other method.
Transport Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton replied: “Environmental sustainability is integral to HS2’s design, with huge efforts being made to minimise the impact of construction on biodiversity, coupled with a commitment to deliver no net loss of biodiversity.
“During the consultation stage, the environmental impacts of the railway are assessed and published in detailed Environmental Statements (ES), which are prepared in line with Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.
“As construction progresses, HS2 Ltd works to ensure that the significant effects reported in the ES are not exceeded through compliance with the ‘Environmental Minimum Requirements’, a suite of documents which includes the Environmental Memorandum and the Code of Construction Practice.
“HS2 Ltd is also committed to publishing annual Environmental Sustainability Progress Reports and Ancient Woodland Reports to update the public on its impacts on the natural environment and on the important work being done to avoid, mitigate and compensate for any adverse effects.”
Freight return to diesel
LIFE peer Baroness Randerson requested detailed information about freight train operators who have replaced electric locos with diesel over the past year because of the higher costs of electricity.
Baroness Vere said: “Officials and the Rail Minister have discussed this with the freight operating companies, who are closely monitoring the situation and will review when electricity prices come down.
“The decision about which locomotives to use for freight trains is a commercial decision for each individual freight operating company. The Government cannot intervene in such decisions, but we continue to work closely to help incentivise the freight industry to meet our net zero targets.”
Recruitment halted
BARONESS Randerson asked the Government when they became aware that train operating companies Southeastern, South Western and Govia Thameslink Railway had halted recruitment of new ticket office staff.
Baroness Vere replied: “Train operators manage their own vacancies, staffing levels and recruitment processes in line with their annual business plans and are expected to deliver their contractual obligations as good and efficient operators.”
Hitachi carries the can
LORD Bradshaw asked the Government, in relation to contracts to supply rolling stock as part of the Intercity Express Programme, whether Hitachi is required to provide sufficient serviceable trains to meet the timetable commitments of train operators and whether
Hitachi is required to pay compensation to TOCs when it fails to do so, whether this applies for every affected journey, and whether this includes liquidated damages to compensate for loss to the train operator’s business.
Baroness Vere said: “The Intercity Express Programme contracts requires the daily provision of train sets sufficient to operate the planned timetable.
“As there has been full transfer of delivery risk passed to the train supplier, when a train is not provided there is no charge. The effect of this is that Hitachi will suffer the financial impact of these circumstances arising from the loss of income.”
Automatic delay repay
JULIAN Knight, the independent MP for Solihull, asked what steps the Department for Transport (DfT) has taken to encourage TOCs to provide automatic delay repay compensation.
Transport Minister Hugh Merriman replied: “As set out in the Plan for Rail, the DfT is working with TOCs to ensure they make the process of claiming compensation easier.
“Ten out of 14 contracted TOCs now offer automated delay repay compensation and a standardised compensation form has been introduced.”