§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the location of gauge corner cracks of the railhead on the lines528W between London Waterloo and Exeter via Salisbury; what speed restrictions were imposed; and what the age of the track was. [146338]
§ Mr. HillThis is an operational matter for Railtrack. I understand from Railtrack that, since Hatfield, 17 speed restrictions were imposed on the lines between London Waterloo and Exeter. Three of these restrictions remain in place but are expected to be withdrawn by 28 February. Of the 17 restrictions, six were on the slow lines over which trains from Waterloo to Exeter do not normally run. The remaining restrictions are north of Basingstoke. The age of the rail affected varied.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the railway lines between London Waterloo and Exeter were last tested ultrasonically. [146337]
§ Mr. HillThis is an operational matter for Railtrack. I understand from Railtrack that the rails along the route between London Waterloo and Exeter are tested at various frequencies depending on the speed and number of trains. Teams work continuously testing all routes, so the date that the rail was last tested could only be given for a specific location.