§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that staff reductions by train operating companies do not lead to compromises in safety. [62434]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonUnder the Railways Safety Case Regulations 1994, arrangements for operations or maintenance must be set out in a train operator's Railway Safety Case. Railway Safety Cases and any subsequent revisions have to be accepted by the Infrastructure controller or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) before operations or revised operations can commence. Reductions in staffing levels would require amendment to a Railway Safety Case where this might affect safety. HSE monitors compliance with the Regulations and will take whatever action it considers appropriate (including enforcement action, if necessary) to ensure safety is not compromised.