§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the faults that have occurred with the system since the introduction of the east coast main line electrification, the reason for each fault and the safety implications.
§ Mr. FreemanPublic services on the whole of the newly electrified east coast main line commenced on 8 July 1991. Since then, BR has formally reported one failure of the electrification equipment. This occurred at Portobello on 29 August, when a return conductor on the overhead line equipment—OLE—expanded in the heat, causing a short circuit. There was no danger to the public or to railway staff.
There was another failure on 18 November, between Stevenage and Hitchin. I understand from the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate that a part of the OLE broke, and the wire carrying the traction current was struck by a diesel train. Half a mile of the OLE was pulled down. The current was automatically cut off and again, there was no danger.