§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ask the Rail Regulator to launch an investigation into the circumstances which led the Health and Safety Executive to implement speed restrictions in the Severn Rail Tunnel. [83373]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonOn 29 April—the same day that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) imposed a 20 mph speed restriction on trains using the Severn Tunnel—the Rail Regulator called for an urgent report from Railtrack explaining why its maintenance procedures had not been sufficient to avoid the enforcement action taken by the HSE, and the plans it had for putting the matter right. Railtrack submitted that report on 4 May, and the Rail Regulator is currently considering it.