Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
At which railway stations where selective door opening is permitted because of grandfather rights; and at which stations it has been permitted since privatisation; and [HL1770]
Why railway stations at which selective door opening is permitted because of grandfather rights with certain types of rolling stock cannot continue to enjoy these rights with other rolling stock that has been fitted with suitable door control mechanisms; and [HL1771]
Why new trains fitted with selective door opening systems are only permitted to use these if driver cabs are fitted with Global Positioning Systems so that the driver knows which station he is at; and [HL1772]
What is the added safety value of train drivers using Global Positioning Systems to establish their location, rather than looking out of the front of the train. [HL1773]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamThe Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is preparing a list of stations where selective door opening is permitted, a copy of which will be placed in the House Library shortly. All cases of selective door opening have been introduced since privatisation.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that rolling stock fitted with selective door opening is permitted to stop at stations with short platforms, provided the train operator sets out how the risks associated with selective door opening usage will be managed.
The HSE does not require that train operators using selective door opening make use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS). However, I understand that, on their own initiative, South Central Trains and South East Trains are currently using GPS technology in automatic selective door opening pilot trials.