§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fires there have been in high-speed train engine units in each of the last five years. [25505]
§ Mr. WattsThis information is not available in the form requested. Table 12A of Her Majesty's railway inspectorate's annual report on railway safety for 1994–95, a copy of which is in the Library, lists the number of train fires by type of vehicle but does not distinguish between the engine units and the coaches of high-speed trains. The total number of fires in high-speed trains is shown in the following table:
Type of vehicle High-speed Trains 1991–92 12 1992–93 9 1993–94 15 1994–95 5 Figures for 1995–96 are not yet available.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safety procedures are in place for dealing with fires in engine units of high-speed trains. [25506]
§ Mr. WattsThe engine compartments of high-speed train power cars are equipped with a fire detection system that is alarmed in the driving cab. A fire suppression system is also provided.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to investigate(a) the cause of and (b) the safety procedures following the fire in the engine unit of the 17.35 service from London to Plymouth, at Bristol Parkway station, on 7 April. [25504]
§ Mr. WattsThe Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate has inquired into the incident.
The fire was caused by a component failure in the engine fuel system. Remedial action is in hand.
Safety procedures at the time of the incident involved summoning the fire service, which attended promptly, and separating the vehicle on fire from the rest of the train.