§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the level of checks carried out by Railtrack on signal wiring. [68057]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Health and Safety Executive have advised me that they are satisfied with Railtrack's strategies for achieving the safety of their signalling systems, including the management of any problems.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the allocation of investment by Railtrack in signal wiring for the next three years; what action the Railway Inspectorate464W is taking to ascertain the safety of the existing system; and what actions have been undertaken to replace faulty signal wiring this year. [68054]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonIt is Railtrack's responsibility to ensure the safety of its railway infrastructure and to allocate the resources needed to achieve this. Railtrack's investment plans, including forecast expenditure on signalling, are set out in its Network Management Statement (NMS) which was published last Spring. The new NMS is to be published in March.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have advised me that they are satisfied with Railtrack's strategies for achieving the safety of their signalling systems, including the management of any problems.
In the light of recent allegations, the Railway Inspectorate has asked Railtrack for an update of its programme for dealing with a specific wiring degradation problem. Railtrack has already assured HSE that the special arrangements in force at relevant locations are adequate to ensure safety and will not prevent the completion of other work necessary for safe operation. HSE intends to inspect sample locations of its choosing to provide independent, external verification that appropriate systems and working methods remain in place to control risks.
The replacement of signal wiring is an operational matter for Railtrack.