§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate will carry out inspections on services between Shrewsbury and Birmingham; and if he will make a statement. [113272]
§ Mr. HillThe Health and Safety Executive's (HMRI) Railway Inspectorate monitors and enforces safety on Britain's railways. Responsibility for the safety, welfare and convenience of passengers rests with railway operators.
The HMRI has a planned inspection programme, including inspections of Central Trains Ltd. The last inspection of the activities of Central Trains, Railtrack and the track maintenance contractor between the Birmingham and Shrewsbury line was on 7 March 2000.
The inspector was generally content with the drivers' competence and the track layout and condition on the Birmingham to Shrewsbury line. HMRI are pursuing some matters with the maintenance contractor regarding the condition of certain sections of track, where drainage appeared to be a problem.