§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions class 158 trains have failed to activate track circuits; what the reasons were; on how many of these occasions they also failed to activate automatic signals; and if he will make a statement on the safety implications of these incidents.
§ Mr. FreemanBritish Rail has informed me that its record show 52 occasions on which class 158 trains have failed to activate track circuits. It has no information on 169W how many of these related to track circuits controlling automatic signals. A build-up of leaf mulch on the train wheels is the principal cause. BR assures me there has been no equipment failure.
The problem causes a momentary loss of indication of the train on signalbox panels, but because the loss is apparent to the signalman, safety is not jeopardised. BR is addressing the matter urgently and the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate is keeping closely in touch with developments.