Previous Section Index Home Page


Island Line

Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has for adding the Island Line to the London to Portsmouth railway franchise. [59176]

Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.

At the time the South West Trains franchise replacement process commenced the Strategic Rail Authority considered that the best solution for the Island Line was that it should become A separate micro- franchise. The authority is currently giving further consideration to the future of the Island Line in the light of the consultants' report on future options produced in September 2001 and will make a further announcement in due course.

Crossrail

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 567W, on Crossrail, who the key stakeholders involved in the consultation period are; how the consultation will be carried out; and who will be funding the consultation process, and at what financial cost. [59549]

Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 24 May 2002]: I have been asked to reply.

The key stakeholders which are about to be consulted on the shortlisted Crossrail route options are "line of route" local authorities, development partnerships and significant businesses, either individually or through their representative bodies.

10 Jun 2002 : Column 779W

The consultation will be carried out by Cross London Rail Links Ltd., who will be distributing a consultation document, and providing individual and group briefings and presentations as appropriate. I am arranging for a copy of the stakeholder consultation document to be placed in the Library.

The cost of the stakeholder consultation exercise is included in Cross London Rail Link's Crossrail project development budget, and has not been broken down separately.

Road Bridges

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures he intends to take to improve road bridges over railway lines as a result of the Great Heck accident. [59371]

Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.

The Minister for Transport announced in the House on 25 February 2002, Official Report, columns 803–04W, that we had accepted all the recommendations in the reports of the Health and Safety Commission and the Highways Agency into the various issues involving road vehicles obstructing the railway following the Great Heck road/rail accident. There are five streams of work arising from these recommendations:


Representations from highway authorities, rail infrastructure authorities and rail safety organisations are supporting this Department in taking forward the recommendations. Our first priority is the protocol on responsibilities and costs which we aim to have agreed by the end of June 2002 and the Minister for Transport has asked for a report on progress on all streams of work by the end of July 2002.

Any measures taken as a result of this work will be the responsibility of the highway authorities and rail infrastructure authorities.

Rail Bridges

Mr. Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made with the risk assessment of rail bridge safety he ordered as a result of the Great Heck incident. [60409]

Mr. Jamieson: We have accepted all the recommendations in the reports of the Health and Safety Commission and the Highways Agency into the various issues involving road vehicles obstructing the railway following the Great Heck road/rail accident. Representatives

10 Jun 2002 : Column 780W

from highway authorities, rail infrastructure authorities and rail safety organisations are supporting this Department in taking forward work on:


Our first priority is the protocol on responsibilities and costs which we aim to have agreed by the end of June 2002 and the Minister for Transport has asked for a report on progress on all streams of work by the end of July 2002.

We have also endorsed the prioritisation tool produced by Railtrack and the CSS (formerly the County Surveyors' Society) and have encouraged highway authorities and rail infrastructure authorities to use it on the bridges for which they are responsible.

Any measures taken as a result of this work will be the responsibility of the highway authorities and rail infrastructure authorities.

Rail Safety

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with British Transport Police regarding possible incidents involving track (a) maintenance and (b) vandalism at (i) Severn tunnel junction, (ii) Bristol parkway and (iii) other locations since January 2000; and if he will make a statement. [59886]

Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.

None. There have been no discussions between the Department and British Transport Police (BTP) on specific incidents. However, I understand from BTP that they and the Health and Safety Executive work together closely on them.

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the proposed railway safety body will be established; what its remit is; what the role of (a) contractors and (b) sub- contractors will be within this body; and if he will make a statement. [59889]

Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.

The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) are consulting on a proposed licence modification which would enable the proposed railway industry safety body (RISB) to be established without primary legislation. The RISB would take the role of an industry safety body as recommended by Lord Cullen in his part 2 report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry. The involvement of contractors and sub- contractors in the decision-making processes of RISB forms part of ORR's consultation. If there is agreement to proceed by way of a licence change modification, ORR expect RISB to be in place by the end of the year.

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the proposed rail accident investigation body will be

10 Jun 2002 : Column 781W

established; what its remit is; what the expected role of (a) contractors and (b) sub-contractors will be within this body; and if he will make a statement. [59888]

Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.

We expect to consult this summer on proposals for the establishment of an independent rail accident investigation branch (RAIB) before publishing the necessary primary legislation. The remit of the RAIB will be subject to consultation but will reflect the recommendations made by Lord Cullen in his part 2 report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry. The role of contractors or sub-contractors within RAIB would be as witnesses, when appropriate, during investigations.

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many incidents of motor vehicles colliding with trains on railway lines at level crossings there have been in each year since 1997; in which locations; and if he will make a statement. [59885]

Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.

Incidents of motor vehicles colliding with trains on railway lines at level crossings since 1997 is as follows:

YearNumber
1997–9824
1998–9927
1999–200024
2000–0124
2001–0216

The locations of these incidents are as follows:

Location
1997–98
12 April 1997Greenland Mill
26 April 1997Glanyrafon
25 June 1997Oaks Occ
26 June 1997Okeltor
22 July 1997Dingwall Middle
28 July 1997Moat Farm No. 1
9 August 1997Saxondale
23 August 1997Berthddu
12 September 1997Holywell, Newsham
12 September 1997Club Lane
29 September 1997Holywell Aocl
12 October 1997Blackhill UWGT
13 October 1997Washwood Heath
18 October 1997St. Mary's Road, Dymchurch
9 December 1997Glanyrafon
29 December 1997Star Crossing, Rye
10 January 1998Lechryd
15 January 1998Swineshead AHB
18 January 1998Toddington
24 January 1998Trafford
10 February 1998York
11 March 1998Swineshead AHB
11 March 1998Shaws Crossing
29 March 1998Holywell
1998–99
15 April 1998Miltonise
23 April 1998Marchwood
12 May 1998Ardrossan Princes AOCL
14 May 1998Sutton Forest AHB
8 June 1998Callerton Parkway Crossing
8 June 1998Bye Farm Crossing
11 June 1998Brora
26 June 1998Dolfawr Farm
1 July 1998Trout Farm
11 July 1998Uttoxeter
18 July 1998Millom
29 July 1998Muir of Ord
29 August 1998Three Gates
8 September 1998Fron Goch
8 September 1998Stoke Creek
14 September 1998Crabtree Lane
20 September 1998Marina
24 September 1998Wainfleet AHB
7 November 1998Hamsey
10 November 1998Sands Lane
2 December 1998Gypsey Lane
5 December 1998Hibaldstow
8 December 1998Llanwrda
22 December 1998Coles Harbour
4 January 1999Cwmbach Sidings
12 January 1999Bertram Drive
21 March 1999Hixon
1999–2000
1 April 1999British Cellophane
3 May 1999Rose Lane
20 May 1999Whitegate Farm
31 May 1999Allanfearn
21 June 1999Low Mill
28 June 1999Trencreek
1 July 1999Blackwood
15 July 1999Snaith Station
25 July 1999Marsh Lane
26 July 1999East Guldeford
29 July 1999Gorsey Lane
3 August 1999Dingwall Middle
20 August 1999Ynys Uchaf
22 August 1999Dalfaber
28 August 1999Black Dyke
2 September 1999Bretts
2 September 1999Battery Road, Dungeness
4 September 1999Manorbier
29 October 1999Llanbrynmair
26 December 1999Quarr Farm
29 December 1999Swan Lane
2 March 2000Ivy Lea
19 March 2000Seghill
20 March 2000Howdon Road
2000–01
3 April 2000Sawbridgeworth Station
2 May 2000Allanfearn
8 May 2000Tregoss Moor
22 June 2000Hixon
24 June 2000Battery Road, Dungeness
12 July 2000Beavers
4 August 2000Borth Capel Soar
10 August 2000Bragg Marsh
24 August 2000Sweet Briar Lane
7 September 2000Munllyn
24 September 2000Weston Avenue
17 October 2000Pooley Green
22 October 2000Appenine Way
23 October 2000Traethmawr
2 November 2000Lairg
11 November 2000Common Lane, Rankshill
12 November 2000Bank Foot
15 November 2000Coltishall Lane
19 November 2000Callerton Parkway
25 November 2000Northwood
28 November 2000Waterbeach Station
14 December 2000Meldreth Road
25 January 2001Quintrell Downs
14 February 2001Wadhams North Barn
2001–02
19 April 2001Forge Farm
5 May 2001Moulinearn
14 June 2001Shaws Crossing
26 July 2001Swineshead
17 August 2001Clattercote
21 August 2001Allanfearn
23 August 2001Ardorssan Harbour
25 August 2001Shenley Hill Road Crossing
19 September 2001Swan Lane
26 September 2001Foxton
7 October 2001Llwyn Cadwygan
29 October 2001Rippins Main
17 November 2001Cleghorn
1 January 2002Norwood Road
7 February 2002Tan Lane
15 February 2002Carleton

10 Jun 2002 : Column 783W

Level crossing accidents in Great Britain are among the lowest in Europe. However, as about 33 per cent. of railway collisions occur on level crossings they still present a significant area of risk. Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) are currently developing plans for a level crossing working party to critically look at all level crossing issues from first principles.

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what changes are proposed to the remit of the HMRI in relation to railway (a) inspection, (b) safety cases and (c) accident investigation; what changes are proposed to the role of (i) contractors and (ii) sub-contractors within the HMRI; and if he will make a statement. [59890]

Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.

No changes are planned to the remit of HMRI or to the role of contractors and sub-contractors within HMRI.

Subject to Parliament's approval of the necessary legislation, in future the Rail Accident Investigation Branch will have lead responsibility for rail accident investigation but HMRI will retain responsibility for breaches under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what recent representations he has received in relation to the role of contractors in (a) inspection, (b) safety cases and (c) accident investigation; and if he will make a statement; [59956]

Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.

10 Jun 2002 : Column 784W

On 23 May, the then Secretary of State met with key players in the railway industry to discuss the issue of contractors in the railway industry. He also received a letter and report on this issue from the chair of the Health and Safety Commission on Friday 31 May, copies of which are available in the House Libraries.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposals for establishment of a railway industry safety body; and if he will place the consultation papers in the Library. [60596]

Mr. Jamieson: The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) are consulting on a licence modification which would enable the proposed railway industry safety body (RISB) to be established without primary legislation. If there is agreement to proceed by way of a licence change modification, ORR expects RISB to be in place by the end of the year. A copy of the consultation document was placed in the Library by the ORR in December 2001, it is also available on the ORR website www.rail-reg.gov.uk.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the programme of safety tours that the chief executive officer of Railtrack undertakes. [60610]

Mr. Jamieson: My Department does not hold the information requested, although I understand that the chief executive officer and other senior staff undertake such safety-related activities on a continuing basis.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings he has had with Railtrack officials since the Southwell rail accident. [60597]

Mr. Jamieson: Ministers have regularly met Railtrack board members and officials since September 1997.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the primary legislation required to set up the Railway Accident Investigation Branch will be published. [60607]

Mr. Jamieson: Lord Cullen recommended the establishment of a Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), which will require primary legislation. We expect to consult this summer on our proposals for the establishment of RAIB before publishing the necessary primary legislation.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department is represented on the Railtrack Safety Executive. [60611]

Mr. Jamieson: My Department is not represented on the board of Railway Safety.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the development group meetings of key stakeholders of the rail industry safety body will be open to the public. [60608]

Mr. Jamieson: The Rail Regulator has published a consultation document on the establishment of the rail industry safety body (RISB). Copies of the consultation document and the majority of responses are available on the Rail Regulator's website, together with other working papers discussed at the development group. The development group is intended to be a series of working

10 Jun 2002 : Column 785W

meetings to develop the detailed proposals for establishing RISB. It is not therefore open to the public. The Rail Regulator has however held two conferences open to a wide audience including passenger representatives, freight users, and trade unions. A transcript of the last industry conference on 9 May 2002 will be made available shortly on the Rail Regulator's website.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what initiatives and management systems the rail industry use to ensure employee involvement in safety issues. [60609]

Mr. Jamieson: Health and safety law places a duty on all employers to consult employees and their representatives in good time about specified aspects of their health and safety at work.

In addition, the Railway Safety Case Regulations 2000 places an explicit duty on railway employers to establish adequate arrangements for the passing and receiving of information relevant to health and safety to and from employees and others affected by their operations.

The railway industry also has a Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS). CIRAS offers an independent and confidential way for staff to report safety concerns without fear of disciplinary procedures. CIRAS is not intended to replace the normal reporting channels already operated by railway companies. Rather it is intended to work alongside them.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) timescale, (b) terms of reference and (c) costs are of the consultation exercise on the establishment of an independent rail accident investigation body; and if he will make a statement. [60595]

Mr. Jamieson: Lord Cullen's part 2 Ladbroke Grove report made a number of recommendations about an independent rail accident investigation branch (RAIB). We expect to consult this summer on proposals for the establishment of RAIB which are drawn from these recommendations. The consultation exercise will run for 12 weeks from the date of publication, as set out in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation. Responses to the consultation will be carefully analysed following this period, and in advance of primary legislation. The costs of consultations exercises are included in the Department's running costs.

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many children were injured on railway lines in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [60393]

Mr. Jamieson: Information held by the British Transport police on fatal and major injuries to juveniles (under 16 years) in relation to trespass offences is contained in the following table:

YearFatalMajor injuries
1997–98610
1998–9959
1999–2000513
2000–01816
2001–0237


10 Jun 2002 : Column 786W


Next Section Index Home Page