§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will calculate the probability of(a) death and (b) serious injury to rail travellers per passenger mile if the work planned by Railtrack over the next three months to replace cracked rails is conducted (i) as planned and (ii) over a programmed 12 month period. [138788]
§ Mr. HillThe primary risk arising from cracked rails is derailment, leading to fatal and serious injuries as occurred tragically at Hatfield. It is for Railtrack, as infrastructure controller, to manage that risk. To mitigate the consequences of such derailments, Railtrack have imposed emergency speed restrictions on the sites most affected by `gauge corner cracking', until the track has been tested and replaced where necessary. Such speed restrictions in themselves may create further risks on the network, for example by increasing overcrowding at stations.
I am informed by the HSE that they have sought from Railtrack risk estimates on the cracked rails situation, and that HSE is working closely with Railtrack so that these restrictions can be lifted as soon as safety can be adequately assured. Extending the rail replacement programme would prolong the period for which restrictions are in place.