HL Deb 02 April 1998 vol 588 cc71-2WA
The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Where the safety train for Severn Rail Tunnel emergencies is stabled; what access is available for quick and direct access to the train by its operating staff in the event of an emergency; and what, if any, complaints have been made by residents domiciled in the immediate vicinity of the stabled train, and to whom they have been made. [HL1221]

Baroness Hayman

The Severn Tunnel emergency train is normally located within the Severn Tunnel Pumping Station site at Sudbrook. In June 1997, a short portion of track at this location was taken out of use due to its poor condition, and the train has since been temporarily located on a siding just under half a mile away. Operating staff currently gain access to the emergency train by driving to the siding by road in their own vehicles. The train is crewed and driven to the tunnel site by Railtrack staff who are at the Sudbrook Pumping Station site. Further staff are on call-out from home in order to provide 24-hour emergency cover. The Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate has no record of any complaints from members of the public with respect to either the train or the activities at the Sudbrook site.

The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what standard the access track to the safety train for Severn Rail Tunnel emergencies is maintained; and what was the last date on which the Health and Safety Executive inspected the train and its tracks. [HL1222]

Baroness Hayman

The track on the Sudbrook branch which is used by the Severn Rail Tunnel emergency train should be maintained to the standards laid down in Railtrack's own Railway Group Standards. There is no record of any visit by HSE's Railway Inspectorate to view either the track or the emergency train.

The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the latest report from the Health and Safety Executive on the Severn Rail Tunnel emergency train and its track. [HL1223]

Baroness Hayman

HSE have not produced any report on the Severn Rail Tunnel emergency train or its track.