§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department is taking to protect the safety of passengers, and the local community, in respect of the proposed increase of rail traffic at Stratford station, East London due to the(a) completion of the London Transport Jubilee line and (b) Eurotunnel traffic, and the transportation of trains carrying radioactive spent fuel rods through the station; and if he will make a statement. [39555]
§ Mr. NorrisThe construction of new or altered railway stations or lines requires approval under the Transport Systems (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulations 1994. In addition, the Railway (Safety Case) Regulations 1994 are designed to ensure that the safety implications of all railway operations are taken into consideration, and that effective arrangements are put in place to control risk, especially at the interfaces between operations. Any significant changes to the operation of the railway would require corresponding change to the railway safety case of the operator concerned. These and other health and safety requirements are monitored and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate.
The National Radiological Protection Board, on behalf of the Department of Transport, carries out periodic surveys of the radiological impact of the rail transport of irradiated nuclear fuel flasks and other radioactive materials. The radiation levels give no cause for radiological concern with current traffic levels.