§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the railway inspectorate has given approval to the proposed single-line chord at Cowlairs to join the main Glasgow Queen street line with the line to Cumbernauld; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate gave provisional approval to the single line chord on 29 August 1991. This would enable British Rail to install and bring the new line into use pending an inspection. The works started in September on a new bridge, but work cannot commence on the track and signalling alterations until the bridge is finished, in February 1992. The inspectorate will discuss with BR what amendments may be needed to the scheme in the light of this forthcoming inquiry into the Newton accident.