§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will direct train operating companies to install and operate automatic train protection on all trains. [1870]
§ Mr. WattsNo. Automatic train protection would require changes to infrastructure as well as trains. Railtrack and train operators are pursuing a range of alternative measures to reduce risks arising from signals passed at danger, overspeeding the buffer stop collisions. The independent Health and Safety Commission advised that the introduction of ATP, as piloted, on a network-wide basis was not reasonably practicable, and that there were alternative safety investments which would be likely to yield greater effectiveness in terms of lives saved, and better value for money.