§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will call for a report on the Railtrack TOWS system in respect of(a) its safety and (b) noise pollution; and if he will make a statement. [20154]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonTOWS (Track Operating Warning System) is an essential piece of equipment to protect staff working on or near railway tracks by providing an audible warning. It is generally installed in settings where other methods such as posting a look-out would be dangerous. It is switched on as necessary by staff who are going to work on the track protected by the system and turned off when leaving the site. When it is not reasonably practicable to stop trains running before carrying out routine inspection or maintenance work, TOWS is the preferred system used for ensuring staff safety.
35WI am advised by the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate that TOWS emits sound at a level necessary for its function and HSE is not aware of any widespread concern over any ancillary noise nuisance, which would be a matter of the Local Authority to purse. I see no need to call for a report on TOWS.