§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of track has been inspected in each of the last five years for which records are available under Railtrack's preventative maintenance scheme; and what proportion will be inspected in the current 12-month period. [26068]
§ Mr. JamiesonI understand that all track owned by Railtrack has been inspected in each of the last five years; and will be inspected in the current 12-month period. The frequencies and methods of inspection reflect the speed and annual tonnage of trains using the track and are set out in Railway Group Standard GC/RT 5021.
§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many children died in railway accidents(a) as passengers and (b) through trespass misadventure in each of the last five years for which figures are available in the age groups (i) zero to seven, (ii) eight to 13 and (iii) 14 to 18 years. [29744]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe number of fatalities to young people on the railway reported to the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) over the last five years are shown in the following three tables. For statistical purposes HMRI classify children as between the ages of one to 15 years. Further information on railway fatalities to children can be found in the Chief Inspector of Railways annual reports on Railway Safety, copies of which are available in both House Libraries.
50W
Table 1: Passenger fatalities Age 1 April to 31 March 0–7 years 8–13 years 14–18 years 1996–97 0 0 1 1997–98 0 1 1 1998–99 0 0 4 1999–2000 0 0 0 2000–01 0 0 0
Table 2: Trespasser and suicide fatalities Age 1 April to 31 March 0–7 years 8–13 years 14–18 years 1996–97 2 4 16 1997–98 1 4 18 1998–99 0 2 16 1999–2000 1 1 9 2000–01 1 4 19
Table 3: Other member of the public fatalities (eg Level Crossings) Age 1 April to 31 March 0–7 years 8–13 years 14–18 years 1996–97 0 0 0 1997–98 0 0 1 1998–99 0 0 1 1999–2000 0 0 0 2000–01 0 0 0