§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the signals passed at danger at least three times by trains stating the number of times this has occurred; what action has been taken at each signal to prevent these signals being passed at danger; and what has been the annual cost of this action in the last six years. [12265]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe information is as follows: (a) A full list showing signals passed three times or more has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
(b) Actions
The fitment programme for the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) will be completed by the end of 2003. The rail industry has initiated a "SPADRAM" (Signals Passed at Danger Reduction and Mitigation) 586W programme which covers a wide range of issues, eg signal sighting, human factors, driver training. Within this programme some of the specific actions include:
- highlighting these signals to drivers;
- vegetation control;
- provision of different backboards;
- countdown markers;
- repositioning of Signal Post Telephones;
- realignment and repositioning of signals;
- provision of repeater signals;
- changing signalling sequences.
(c) Cost
It is not possible to separate out SPAD mitigation costs from other expenditure.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Health and Safety Commission's working group looking at risks associated with road rail interface will publish its findings. [21196]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Health and Safety Commission hope that its report and recommendations will be available in the first quarter of 2002.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent steps Railtrack has taken to ensure that a supervisor is employed on a continual basis in all signal (a) boxes and (b) centres to manage the operation of workstations. [21124]
§ Mr. JamiesonThis is an operational matter for Railtrack.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Health and Safety Executive on the (a) benefits and (b) outcomes that have resulted from the monthly publications of reports on SPADS. [21030]
§ Mr. JamiesonPublication of the Health and Safety Executive's monthly reports on signals passed at danger (SPADs) on the Railtrack network, copies of which are placed in the Library of the House, has put the information into the public domain, provided detailed comparisons by train operating company and outlined the action being taken by the industry to reduce the incidence of SPADs.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what steps have been taken by Railtrack to introduce a system for the central tracking of those recommendations within Part 1 of the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry report directly made to Railtrack; and whether this has been extended in those cases where recommendations are directed to (a) train operating companies and (b) others; [21064]
(2) what progress has been made by Railtrack to improve the speed at which signallers are able to take action to move points in an emergency; [21120]
(3) what progress has been made towards ensuring that railway (a) signallers and (b) drivers jointly attend away days and other training; and if he will make a statement; [21068]
587W(4) what research on the understanding of human factors as they relate to train driving his Department conducted between June and November; and what steps are being taken to ensure further research is conducted in this area; [21076]
(5) what consideration has been made by train operating companies of the possibility of providing snap wands as a supplementary means of providing lighting in an emergency; [21184]
(6) what progress has been made to extend the computerisation of information to be used by the police service, in co-operation with the emergency services, in the event of a major incident involving passenger rail services; and if he will make a statement; [21018]
(7) what progress has been made to ensure that the police service, in conjunction with emergency services, ensure that common telephone numbers are issued for the use of members of the public who are seeking to obtain or give information about persons who have or may have been involved in a major incident involving a passenger rail service; [21020]
(8) what steps have been taken by Railtrack management to (a) set out and (b) apply the criteria for allowing signallers to exceed the maximum of 72 hours per week; [21122]
(9) what progress Railtrack has made towards the introduction of simulators for the training of signallers in dealing with emergencies; [21167]
(10) if instructions for railway signallers on their response to a SPAD provide a set of options, including the use of CSR, either to send an emergency stop message to a particular train or a general stop message; and whether such instructions are supported by full and regularly repeated briefing as to the type of circumstances in which each option is appropriate; [21169]
(11) what progress has been made to ensure that the computerisation of information in the event of a major incident involving passenger rail services is extended to all police forces; [21019]
(12) when Railtrack conducted a safety examination of the layout within two miles of Paddington Station; whether this included a risk assessment; and if he will make a statement; [21066]
(13) what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned, by train operating companies to ensure that all members of the on-board train staff, including those under contract, have been trained in train (i) evacuation and (ii) protection; [21202]
(14) at which locations ambiguity in the meaning of very short duration, under the Railway Safety Group standard on signal sighting, has caused problems; whether a retrospective review of all such locations has taken place; and what action has been taken in those locations where problems have been identified; [21082]
(15) whether the expression overhead line equipment, under the Railway Safety Group standard on signal sighting, has been clarified to refer only to wires and droppers; [21083]
588W(16) what progress has been made with the application of NVQs to the driver licensing scheme under the ATOC study on the central licensing of drivers; [21073]
(17) what steps have been taken by Railtrack to ensure that (a) signallers, (b) managers and (c) maintenance staff working at integrated electronic control centres are instructed as to the need to preserve CSR data disks in the event of a SPAD taking place; [21179]
(18) what steps have been taken to ensure that the reports made by Railtrack about a SPAD include a report by the signaller as to (a) their actions and (b) the reasons for such actions; [21168]
(19) if he will publish the guidance provided by the Health and Safety Executive under the provisions in Schedule 1 of the Railway (Safety Case) Regulations 2000 regarding (a) evacuation and (b) escape; [21192]
(20) what consideration has been made for turbo trains of (a) the enhancement of end pillar weld connections, (b) the possible enhancement of crashworthiness by weakening the ends and strengthening the saloon of the cars and (c) the fitting of (i) shear-out couplers and (ii) anti-overriding devices; [21175]
(21) what steps have been taken by (a) train operating companies and (b) ROSCOs to ensure that emergency signs on-board trains are (i) luminous and (ii) capable of being understood by passengers without the necessity to read text; [21177]
(22) who has the responsibility to decide whether the recommendations of a signal sighting committee under the group standard on SPADs are to be implemented under Railtrack's safety management system; [21088]
(23) what steps have been taken since the crash at Ladbroke Grove to review the standard for crashworthiness of (a) vehicles used on the rail network in order to ensure that there are adequate measures for safeguarding survival space and (b) new vehicles; [21174]
(24) whether the definition of very short duration, under the Railway Safety Group standard on signal sighting, was revised between June and November; [21095]
(25) what progress has been made towards ensuring that Railtrack introduce a risk assessment when a material change to (a) track and (b) signalling is proposed; and whether this is being conducted on a holistic basis at the design concept stage and repeated at defined stages up to and including implementation; [21028]
(26) what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned, by (i) train operating companies and (ii) ROSCOs to test the practicability of building emergency hammers into the passenger alarm system so that they can be released only after an alarm has been activated; [21204]
(27) what research (a) has been conducted and (b) is planned by (i) train operating companies and (ii) ROSCOs into (A) the feasibility of, and risks associated with, removable windows, (B) the adequacy of windows as a means of emergency egress, (C) the number of dedicated windows that are necessary and (D) the provision as to the maximum distance between each passenger and bodyside door or emergency exit; [21205]
589W(28) what the steps included by train operating companies are in their daily routine check of every train; [21207]
(29) which train operating companies have conducted a review of the effectiveness of the systems which are in place to deliver the required level of driver competence over the six month period June to November; what these reviews have concluded; and what progress has been made to retest drivers against revised systems; [21071]
(30) what steps have been taken by the Association of Train Operating Companies to obtain expert assistance on the advice which should be given to passengers as to what to do in the event of there being a known threat of serious danger to them remaining on board after an accident; [21187]
(31) whether the use of the term "disregard" in the Railway Group standard on SPADs and its associated documentation was revised between June and November; [21090]
(32) if he will provide details for each train operating company of (a) the criteria against which drivers are tested under their driver training and testing programmes, (b) the minimum standard that must be reached for each of these criteria for drivers to reach a definite pass standard, (c) what steps have been taken between June and November to develop these standards, (d) what further steps are planned to develop these standards and (e) what consideration has been made of how often drivers should repeat key steps in their training before submitting themselves for testing; [21075]
(33) what steps to strengthen the (a) safety audit process and (b) quality of communication under the process under the Railway (Safety Case) Regulations 1994 (i) have been taken between June and November and (ii) are planned; [21077]
(34) what steps have been taken by (a) train operating companies and (b) ATOC to ensure that the availability on trains carrying passengers of the items of emergency equipment mentioned in the standard on emergency and safety equipment is unrestricted; [21198]
(35) what steps have been taken to enhance the security of (a) seating in turbo trains and (b) tables in high speed trains; [21171]
(36) what market research (a) has been conducted and (b) is planned with regard to railway safety related measures; [21195]
(37) what (a) assessment and (b) research his Department has made of the problem of shortages of trained and skilled staff within the railway industry with special reference to (i) drivers, (ii) signallers and (iii) engineers; [21054]
(38) what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned, by (i) Railtrack, (ii) train operating companies and (iii) ROSCOs to study the possibility of installing on driver-only trains a telephone by which passengers can communicate with the signaller in the event of the driver being killed or incapacitated; [21201]
(39) what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned, by (i) train operating companies and (ii) ROSCOs to review the (A) adequacy of the number of and (B) signage relating to emergency hammers on board trains; [21206]
590W(40) what progress has been made by the railway group to review (a) emergency planning, (b) liaison with the emergency services and (c) arrangements for the aftercare of survivors and provision of (i) support and (ii) facilities for the bereaved and injured of passenger rail accidents; [21021]
(41) when he expects the Health and Safety Commission to publish the outcome of the first six monthly review of Lord Cullen' s recommendations within Part 1 of the Ladbroke Grove Inquiry report; [21197]
(42) what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned by (i) Railtrack, (ii) train operating companies and (iii) ROSCOs to study the feasibility of introducing remote broadcasting from outside the train where this is not already available; [21199]
(43) what measures (a) have been introduced and (b) are planned within the railway industry to enhance protection against fire; [21194]
(44) what recent steps have been taken to provide passengers with general safety advice (a) before and (b) after they have boarded their train; and what proportion of train operating companies provided this information (i) as of June and (ii) at the last date for which information is available; [21188]
(45) what assessment he has made of the (a) enhancement of the cabs on high speed trains to improve driver protection and (b) the enhancement of measures for the retention of bogies on the coaches of high speed trains; [21178]
(46) what steps have been taken to establish a system for the collection of human factors information pertinent to issues of passenger safety following rail accidents; [21189]
(47) what steps have been taken to update the code of practice on public information on train (a) safety and (b) emergencies; and what plans there are to update the code of practice; [21191]
(48) when Railtrack carried out the (a) risk assessments and (b) consequent actions required under Group Standard GK/RT 0078 in respect of the signals in the Paddington area; and if he will make a statement; [21065]
(49) what reviews Railtrack has conducted of the work of signallers in order to identify non-essential tasks; [21165]
(50) if he will provide details of the recommendations of WS Atkins' Initial Study of Signal Sighting, Issue 1, published on 6 March 2000, which his Department plans to act upon; [21086]
(51) what changes in the frequency in the briefing by driver standards managers of drivers from Thames Trains have taken place since the beginning of June; [21069]
(52) what steps have been taken by (a) training operating companies and (b) ROSCOs to ensure that staff-only doors on all trains have an override device to enable them to be used by passengers in an emergency; [21182]
(53) what steps have been taken by (a) Railtrack and (b) train operating companies (i) to examine the availability of signal sighters and (ii) to ensure an adequate supply of trained signal sighters; [21087]
591W(54) what progress has been made to consider, in the case of new vehicles constructed of aluminium used on the rail network, (a) the use of alternatives to fusion welding, (b) the use of improved grades of aluminium which are less susceptible to fusion weld weakening and (c) the further development of analytical techniques; [21173]
(55) if he will provide details of changes made in (a) the direction of running of line three from Paddington station and (b) speed limits on any of the lines between two and six miles out of Paddington Station; and in each case (i) whether a risk assessment has been carried out to the satisfaction of HMRI and (ii) if additional measures have been (A) implemented and (B) shown to have been effective; [21067]
(56) what research (a) has taken place and (b) is planned, by (i) train operating companies, (ii) ROSCOs and (iii) train manufacturers into developing a means of safeguarding emergency lighting systems from disablement by the forces involved in sudden deceleration; [21185]
(57) what steps have been taken to standardise between (a) train operating companies and (b) rolling stock (i) the safety information issued to passengers and (ii) the means by which they can (A) be evacuated and (B) escape from a train; [21190]
(58) what revisions of the Railway Safety group standard on signal sighting took place between June and November; and if he will list details of those (a) groups and (b) individuals involved in this process of revision; and what plans there are for further revision of these standards; [21094]
(59) what steps have been taken by (a) train operating companies and (b) ROSCOs to develop signage in the form of pictograms similar to those used on aircraft and conforming to current human factors standards on signage depicting the correct operation of emergency door mechanisms; [21181]
(60) what steps have been taken by (a) train operating companies, (b) ROSCOs and (c) the HMRI to assess the number of train coaches which have internal doors that slide in the same direction and will need to be replaced by 31 December 2003 under the terms of Lord Cullen's recommendations in Part 1 of the Ladbroke Grove Inquiry report; [21183]
(61) what progress has been made by (a) Railtrack and (b) train operating companies towards the introduction of a national system of direct radio communication between trains and signallers; [21180]
(62) what steps have been taken to make progress with the ATOC study on the central licensing of drivers over the six month period June to November; and what additional steps are planned; [21072]
(63) what steps have been taken by (a) Railtrack and (b) train operating companies to train (i) signallers and (ii) drivers so as to appreciate the (x) nature and (y) demands of each other's work; [21166]
(64) what steps have been taken by (a) Railtrack, (b) train operating companies and (c) other groups to train persons who (i) investigate and (ii) make recommendations as a consequence of SPADs in the (A) identification of human factors and (B) root cause analysis; [21091]
592W(65) whether instructions for railway signallers on their response to a SPAD dictate that the signaller should make an assessment and take action immediately; [21093]
(66) if he will list changes in Railtrack procedures, and the actions of management to enforce them, in response to Lord Cullen's recommendations within Part 1 of the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry report; [21063]
(67) what progress has been made towards the (a) teaching and (b) practice of defensive driving by train operating companies; [21070]
(68) what progress has been made by Railtrack to provide signallers with the opportunity to practise the controlling of train movements; [21123]
(69) what steps have been taken by (a) train operating companies, (b) ROSCOs and (c) train manufacturers to carry out a (i) feasibility and (ii) risk assessment into the incorporation of escape hatches in (A) existing and (B) new carriages; [21203]
(70) what steps have been taken by Railtrack to institute a system whereby all signallers in a signal (a) box and (b) centre are briefed by their line manager following a SPAD in their area; and what steps have been taken to ensure that there is appropriate dissemination of information which may be of assistance to signallers elsewhere; [21170]
(71) what progress has been made towards the introduction by Railtrack of a system in which there is an automatic replacement of a signal to danger where a SPAD takes place; [21119]
(72) what steps have been taken by Railtrack to improve the alarm system for SPADs in integrated electronic control centres; [21121]
(73) if he will provide details of how acceptable limits to the temporary obscuration of a signal are defined under the Railway Safety Group standard on signal sighting; [21084]
(74) what progress has been made by Railtrack towards the introduction of an arrangement whereby a train fitted with CSR sounds an audible warning automatically in the cab when a signal at danger is passed; [21118]
(75) what changes in scope in Schedule 1 to the Railway (Safety Case) Regulations 2000 took place between June and November; and what further changes are planned; [21193]
(76) what steps his Department has taken to review the Railway Group standard on SPADs and its associated documentation; [21089]
(77) what recent steps have been taken by Railtrack to (a) clarify and (b) improve the instructions for signallers as to their response to a SPAD; [21092]
(78) how the Railway Safety Group standard on signal sighting defines the cab sight lines within which signals must be positioned; [21085]
(79) in respect of which signals the Railway Safety Group standard on signal sighting deals explicitly with the additional time required for reading; [21096]
593W(80) what steps his Department has taken to ensure that all material and information on the activities of the organisation being audited in regard to the area of activity being audited is disclosed to the auditor under the Railway (Safety Case) Regulations 1994; [21098]
(81) what proportion of passenger rolling stock of each train operating company provides on-board explanatory information about the emergency facilities on the train; [21186]
(82) what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned, by (i) train operating companies and (ii) ROSCOs to study the feasibility of introducing a roaming communication system for train staff; [21200]
(83) if he will list for each train operating company the proportion of services which make use of on-board announcements to draw attention to safety information. [21176]
§ Mr. JamiesonLord Cullen made recommendations on this issue in Part 1 of his Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry report. The Health and Safety Commission is reviewing the industry's compliance with all the recommendations and will publish a report in the spring. I will ensure that a copy is placed in the House Library.