§ Mr. Matthew BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Southport and Merseyside relating to safety with the new signalling system on Mersey Rail; and what assessment he has made of the extent to which the travelling public are protected as a result of this new investment.
§ Mr. FreemanI am not aware of any representations from Southport and Merseyside. Her Majesty's chief inspecting officer of railways has received representations from the general secretary of ASLEF.
The safety assessment by the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate of phase 1 of the new Mersey Rail signalling scheme is almost complete. Her Majesty's railway inspectorate has raised a number of questions with Railtrack. It is anticipated that approval of the works will be granted by the Health and Safety Executive on behalf of the Secretary of State following a satisfactory response to the points raised and a site inspection.