§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether an inquiry will be held into the derailment of wagons carrying high explosives at Arpley sidings, near Warrington; and what precautions are being taken to ensure that such an incident does not occur again.
§ Mr. EyreNo. The derailment, which was not a reportable railway accident, occurred during a shunting move during which the rules for the movement of wagons containing explosives were being observed and no additional precautions are considered necessary. No hazard to the travelling public or to those living in the neighbourhood was involved.
§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether high explosives or other dangerous substances are normally shunted in their sidings at Arpley sidings, near Warrington; and, in the light of the recent derailment, if he will take measures to ensure that high explosives and other dangerous substances are not put in these sidings in the future.
§ Mr. EyreShunting of wagons containing dangerous substances and explosives takes place regularly at Arpley. 517W The handling of such traffic is a day-to-day occurrence on the railways and there is no reason to ban it specifically from Arpley. The rules covering the movement of wagons carrying explosives were being observed at the time of the recent derailment, which did not give rise to an undue hazard.