§ Mr. BudgenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received the railway group safety plan for 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [19305]
§ Mr. WattsThe Railtrack board has now submitted a 1995 safety plan for Britain's national railway network. Copies have been placed in the Library.
The plan sets out strategic safety objectives for 1995–96, reports safety performance by British Rail and Railtrack in 1994–95 and gives details of the arrangements for managing safety on the railway. The objectives are designed to maintain safety and to set strategic objectives to improve it wherever practicable. Railtrack and operators have developed programmes and action plans designed to achieve their individual and shared objectives. The plan is also an important companion to railway safety cases, and will ensure that full and proper attention is paid to safety during the privatisation process.