§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if it is his policy to allow mixed use of lines by heavy and light rail services on routes, in a similar way to the Tyne and Wear Metro extension. [33406]
§ Mr. SpellarMixed use of lines by heavy and light rail services is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Any proposal for dual use would entail a726W fundamental change to the safety case of the infrastructure operator. The HSE would consider an application on that basis. For example, HSE approval of the Tyne and Wear Metro extension was dependent on all signals on the Metro extension being fitted with an automatic train protection system similar to those fitted to the rest of this stretch of the mainline network.