Rail Services (Hansard, 17 July 2003)

§ Mrs. Dunwoody
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role signallers play in minimising delays to fast long distance trains. [126832]

§ Dr. Howells
Network Rail advises that its signallers are responsible for regulating all trains regardless of type, speed or destination to minimise delays where possible.

§ Mrs. Dunwoody
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures will be put in place to prevent train operating companies adopting train crew relief strategies which will stand trains at strategic points along the railway. [126833]

§ Dr. Howells
This is an operational matter for the train operating companies, having regard to their contractual commitments such as the maximum journey time for services specified in their passenger service requirement, the "rules of the plan" which are agreed with Network Rail and which specify station dwell times, and safety rules.

§ Mrs. Dunwoody
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the European rail traffic management system level 2 will be installed on the UK high speed lines; and for what reasons ERTMS level 1 could not be installed on UK high speed lines with a view to future migration to level 2. [126834]

§ Dr. Howells
The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has identified the Cambrian coast as an ERTMS Level 2 test site. Further work is required before a robust timetable for fitting to high- speed lines can be developed.
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The SRA advises that implementation of ERTMS Level 1, followed by subsequent migration to Level 2, would reduce network capacity and track worker safety as a result of increased trackside infrastructure and the costs would far outweigh the benefits. The industry recommendation therefore was to focus development and implementation on ERTMS Level 2. This was supported by the work of the Health and Safety Executive that led to the Health and Safety Commission's recommendation which the Secretary of State accepted in February 2003.

§ Mrs. Dunwoody
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the introduction of the train protection and warning system has affected line capacity in congested areas of the network. [126835]

§ Dr. Howells
Network Rail advises that the train protection and warning system (TPWS) has no effect on line capacity.

§ Mrs. Dunwoody
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to improve the reliability of the train protection and warning system, with reference to(a) delays to trains running into terminal stations and (b) drivers needing to apply power between the TPWS and the buffer stops. [126836]

§ Dr. Howells
Network Rail advises that the train protection and warning system (TPWS) has a good record of reliability. TPWS at buffer stops is set to intervene only if trains exceed l0mph. Network Rail is working with the train operators and their drivers to ensure that all trains are controlled to below this trigger point and to enter terminal stations at this low speed. Network Rail works with the train operators to assist drivers in controlling their train speeds into termini.