§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of junctions between double track railway routes where the former double junction has been replaced by a single track line switch and associated crossover, together with the number of such layouts where the short single line section is protected by a safety neck; and whether he has asked the railways inspectorate to carry out an assessment of the safety implications of such junctions.
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§ Mr. PortilloInformation regarding the precise number of single line junctions, and those protected by a safety neck, is not readily available. These junctions have been used extensively throughout the British Rail network for many years. Whether or not this type of layout was in any way a contributory factor to the recent accident in Glasgow is a matter for the public inquiry, a starting date for which will be announced shortly.