§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to include the safety issue of gaps between railway station platforms and trains, in the criteria for obtaining future train operating franchises. [129435]
§ Mr. HillThe Deputy Prime Minister has asked the Franchising Director to evaluate bids for replacement franchises against the following criteria: commitment to secure better performance and customer services, the extent to which extra or earlier investment can be secured, the extent to which passengers will be given a greater voice in the level and standard of services, and value for money to the taxpayer. The Franchising Director will look to bidders to provide better access to the network,404W particularly for those with limited mobility and disabilities. Bidders will be encouraged to consult interested stakeholders, including local authorities and Rail Passengers' Committees, giving them the opportunity to raise issues which they would like to see addressed.
§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to ensure that warning signs are provided at stations where there is a large gap between the railway station platform and the train. [129436]
§ Mr. HillRailtrack, as infrastructure controller, is responsible for the safe operation of its platforms. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) publish "Railway Safety Principles and Guidance" which, among other things, sets acceptable stepping criteria between trains and platforms. In areas where there is a large gap between the railway platform and the train, warning notices reading 'Mind the Gap' with hatching along the platform edge, or other agreed measures such as public announcements, may be required.
§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in how many railway stations there is distance between the platform and the train which exceeds 250 mm vertically, 275 mm horizontally and 350 mm diagonally. [129437]
§ Mr. HillThe records held by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) are insufficiently detailed to provide information on locations where gaps may exceed particular dimensions. However, Railtrack have acknowledged that at 76 per cent. of their 2,454 stations there are one or more platforms that do not comply with the specifications for acceptable stepping criteria between trains and platforms as set out in HMRI's "Railway Safety Principles and Guidance". Railtrack is developing a strategy of identifying and dealing with these on a prioritised basis. HSE is monitoring progress.