HL Deb 16 October 2003 vol 653 cc129-30WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the signalling system used by Northern Ireland Railways complies with the railway's current network standards for intercity traffic. [HL4630]

Baroness Amos

Translink has advised that the signalling system used by Northern Ireland Railways complies with the railways current network standards with the exception of Castlerock situated between Coleraine and Londonderry. However, Translink considers that the systems at this location, while not up to the precise standard of the rest of the network, are entirely safe.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many consultants' reports have been produced on Northern Ireland Railways activity since January 1996; by whom; and for what purpose. [HL4632]

Baroness Amos

Translink has advised that the following consultants' reports have been produced on Northern Ireland Railways activity since 1996.

Project/Title/Description Consultant Year
State of Railway Infrastructure— TMG 1996
Funding Comparisons of Bus and Rail Services in N Ireland-— Steer Davies Gleave 1998
Introduction of Automatic Warning Systems and Train Protection Warning Systems— QSS 1999
Station Condition Report— W H Stephens 1999
Accommodation Crossings— Brown & Root 2000
Strategic Safety Review of NIR— A D Little 2000
Implementing Risk Management— Deloitte & Touche 2000

Project/Title/Description Consultant Year
Report on Implications for Infrastructure of Introducing 23 Metre Rolling Ferguson Mcllveen/
Stock— Scott Wilson 2001
Strategic Safety Review of NIR (Update)— A D Little 2002
Condition Inspection & Appraisal of Railway Embankments & Cuttings— WS Atkins Ltd 2002
Condition Assessment of Accommodation Overbridges— Doran Consulting 2002
Rock Slope Inspections Report— Ferguson Mcllveen 2002–03
Review of N Ireland Railway Slope Donaldson
Management— Associates Ltd 2003
Bangor Line Stations Condition— W H Stephens 2003