§ Mr. John SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish new guidelines on the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through residential areas. [24247]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAn extensive study,Major Hazard Aspects of the Transport of Dangerous Substances: Report of the Sub-committee of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances (HSC, ISBN 0 11 885676 6), published in 1991, found that the risks of such transport were tolerable. Regulations Approved Requirements and Guidance on the transport of dangerous goods are regularly reviewed in the light of technical developments and lessons learned from reported incidents. 457W Additionally, the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail Regulations 1996 will soon be revised in accordance with Commission Directive 96/87/EC to apply the latest provisions of the COTIF regulations concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail (RID).
§ Mr. John SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the current guidelines for governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through residential areas; [24254]
(2) if he will list the safety responsibilities of (a) Railtrack, (b) English, Welsh and Scottish Railways and (c) European Vinyls Corporation Ltd., as they relate to the transportation of vinyl chloride monomer by rail in the Vale of Glamorgan; [24257]
(3) if he will list (a) voluntary and (b) statutory procedures governing the de-canting of vinyl chloride monomer from a freight tanker which has (i) been de-railed, (ii) tipped on its side and (iii) collapsed the bogey and cannot be safely lifted back on to the rail track; [24258]
(4) if he will list the current codes of practice governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through hazardous industrial areas; [24259]
(5) if he will list the current regulations governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through residential areas; [24260]
(6) if he will list the current regulations governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals through hazardous industrial areas; [24261]
(7) if he will list the current guidance notes governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through hazardous industrial areas. [24262]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe current regulations, which apply to transport throughout Great Britain, are as follows
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods By Rail Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/2089),The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/2092).The Regulations set out the duties and responsibilities on all parties concerned with the transport and dangerous goods including vinyl chloride monomer. These are supported by the following Approved Requirements and Guidance:
458WApproved Tank Requirements—The provisions for bottom loading and vapour recovery systems of mobile containers carrying petrol;Approved Carriage List—Information approved for the carriage of dangerous goods by road and rail other than explosives and radioactive material;Approved Requirements and test methods for the classification and packaging of dangerous goods for carriage;Carriage of Dangerous Goods Explained Part 1—Guidance for Consignors of dangerous goods by road and rail, packaging, labelling and provision of information;Carriage of Dangerous Goods Explained Part 3—Guidance for rail operators, and others involved in the carriage of dangerous goods by rail.Regulation 23 of Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail Regulation 1996 requires train operators, facility owners and infrastructure controllers to establish and follow safety systems and procedures which enable them to deal with incidents safely. The details are set out in Railway Group Standards which are produced and published by Railtrack plc, following industry consultation, and which are enforceable through the Railway (Safety Case) Regulations 1994.
In addition, all parties operating on the railways must comply with the general provisions of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and other related regulations. In particular, in relation to the transportation of dangerous goods by rail in the Vale of Glamorgan, Railtrack plc is responsible for:
control of the movement of trains on its network;maintenance of the railway infrastructure;complying with the terms of its Railway Safety Case (accepted by the Health and Safety Executive under the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994);accepting and monitoring compliance with the Railway Safety Case of train operating companies;establishing standards to ensure safe operation and emergency arrangements on its network; andcompliance with those aspects of the CDG Rail which apply to an infrastructure controller.Similarly English Welsh and Scottish Railways Ltd. is responsible for:
the safe operation of its trains;compliance with its own Railway Safety Case and any relevant Railway Group Standards; andcompliance with those aspects of CDG Rail applicable to a train operator.European Vinyls Corporation Ltd., must comply with its responsibilities as consignor under CDG Rail.
There are separate requirements for the transport of radioactive material and for the transport of explosives.
§ Mr. John SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the terms of reference of the Railway Inspectorate's inquiry into the Cadoxton derailment in the Vale of Glamorgan on 27 December 1997; [24248]
(2) what steps he will take to ensure that the inquiry undertaken by the Railway Inspectorate into the Cadoxton train de-railment will consider (a) the underlying and (b) the systems causes of the incident; [24251]
(3) if he will make a statement on the scope of the inquiry by the Railway Inspectorate into the Cadoxton de-railment on 27 December 1997; [24253]
(4) if he will publish in full the report of the inquiry undertaken by the Railway Inspectorate into the Cadoxton derailment in the Vale of Glamorgan. [24245]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThere are no terms of reference for the investigation by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate into the incident at Cadoxton, South Wales. Following HSE's normal practice, the inspectorate will conduct a thorough investigation with a view to establishing both the immediate and any underlying causes, including systems failures; learning any lessons and taking any action which appears necessary to prevent a recurrence or to improve 459W the way any future incidents are handled. The HSE have advised that the findings (and any recommendations) of HM Railway Inspectorate's investigation will be published by HSE.