Mr. DonohueTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when Railtrack expects to be able to carry out the structural investigation of the Forth rail bridge in accordance with the stipulation of the Health and Safety Executive as part of its investigation of the Forth rail bridge. [1254]
§ Mr. WattsRailtrack is currently carrying out the structural analysis of the bridge, as requested by the Health and Safety Executive.
Mr. DonohueTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department issued to Railtrack in relation to its co-operation with the Health and Safety Executive's report on the structural condition of the Forth rail bridge. [1256]
Mr. DonohueTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on painting the Forth rail bridge in each financial year since 1989–1990; and how the arrangements for painting the bridge have been changed during this period. [1258]
§ Mr. WattsI understand that British Rail spent approximately £0.5 million on painting and £0.5 million on other maintenance in each financial year from 1989–90 to 1993–94. Railtrack had a similar spending programme in 1994–95, and also completed a £4 million investment programme to replace the weighbeams and renew the rails in July 1994. In the current financial year, Railtrack has doubled the painting budget.
Mr. DonohueTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement indicating the reasons why Railtrack have delayed carrying out a comprehensive structural investigation of the Forth rail bridge. [1413]
§ Mr. WattsRailtrack is currently carrying out the structural analysis of the bridge, as requested by the Health and Safety Executive. I understand that this analysis is taking slightly longer than planned, due to the complexity of the project.
Mr. DonohueTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current painting and maintenance arrangements for the Forth rail bridge; and to what extent these have been altered during the last year. [1257]
§ Mr. WattsIn July 1995, Railtrack appointed Amec to provide a construction management system ensuring the safe co-ordination of all contractors working on the structure of the bridge. Maintenance has since been organised into 17 distinct work packages and new contracts have been let accordingly. Painting is being carried out by the infrastructure maintenance unit Scotland of British Rail infrastructure services and by Wilkie Hooke.
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Mr. DonohueTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has received from the Health and Safety Executive relating to the delays in the publication of its report on the structural condition of the Forth rail bridge. [1253]
Mr. DonohueTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department originally requested the Health and Safety Executive to publish its report on the structural condition of the Forth rail bridge; and what is the expected timetable for this project. [1255]
§ Mr. WattsThe Department agreed that the Health and Safety Executive should publish its report when the assessment was complete. I understand that HSE's original timetable has slipped slightly and that it now hopes to be able to publish its report early in the new year.