§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanisms are in place to ensure safety in the Severn Rail Tunnel; what improvements have been made recently to the track in the tunnel and fire safety arrangements; and what further improvements are planned. [42701]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe responsibility for ensuring safety in the Severn Tunnel rests primarily with Railtrack plc. Railtrack is responsible for maintaining the track and structure of the tunnel as well as regulating the flow of rail traffic through it. Railtrack contracts the maintenance of the tunnel to specialist contractors who undertake inspection, testing, maintenance and renewal work. Railtrack has management systems in place which are aimed at ensuring that their contractors carry out necessary work to the required standard.
A programme of major improvement works has been carried out in the tunnel over the past few weeks. This has included track renewal and drainage work. Following the completion of the work, Railtrack removed a temporary speed restriction which they had previously imposed because of poor track condition.
I understand that the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate is content with the arrangements relating to fire emergencies, introduced after the publication of its report into the accident in the Severn Tunnel on 7 December 1991.
Railtrack has on-going arrangements in place for the inspection and maintenance of the tunnel.