§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the results of his Department's investigations into the two track circuit failures that occurred during February at(a) Aberdeen and (b) Wymondham; and how many (i) railway staff and (ii) passengers were being carried in each incident.
§ Mr. FreemanThe incident at Aberdeen, which was reported to the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate, involved the derailment of an empty passenger train with only the train crew on board. The incident at Wymondham, which was not statutorily resportable, involved a track maintenance machine carrying a permanent way gang. The actual number of staff concerned is not known. No passengers were involved in either incident.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date he received the British Rail signal and telecommunications technical investigation report 91019 DC track circuits discussion of residual voltage and wrong side failure modes with special reference to bonding principles, dated 25 March; what action he has taken in respect of the report's findings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate received a copy of this report on 1 May, and is now considering it. Meanwhile, BR has taken action to avoid a recurrence.