§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on public safety of the changed rules for testing the maintenance and operation of the signalling system recently introduced by Railtrack. [20402]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI understand that Railtrack's rules and procedures for signalling works testing are set out in mandatory Railway Group Standards. These published engineering standards are amended as necessary from time to time. The safe maintenance and testing of railway signalling is a matter for Railtrack, unless there is reason to believe that their systems are deficient. The Health and Safety Executive has informed me that Railtrack's overall performance in terms of signalling safety demonstrates a high standard, and that it has no reasons at present for major concerns on this subject.