§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the duty to fence off railway lines with a view to requiring Railtrack plc to prevent trespass on railway lines. [18372]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonFollowing a recommendation by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), a review of railway safety legislation was completed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 1996. As a result, the 111W Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1997, which came into force on 10 May, place a new duty on Railtrack to take reasonably practicable measures to prevent unauthorised access by trespassers. Guidance on these Regulations, issued by the HSE, gives advice on the type of fencing or other physical barriers that should be provided.