HC Deb 11 July 2001 vol 371 c527W
Mr. Horam

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many signals were passed at danger on railways in the last three years and for this year; what the figures were for Connex South Eastern; and if he will make a statement on the SPAD on Connex Services north of St. Mary Cray on 26 June. [2927]

Mr. Jamieson

The following information on signals passed at danger (SPADs) has been provided by the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate:

  1. (a) There were a total of 1,741 SPADs over the last three financial years: 662 in 1998–1999, 594 in 1999–2000 and 475 in 2000–2001.
  2. (b) There have been 92 SPADs so far this year, April to May 2001
  3. (c) There were 66 SPADs in the same period last year, April to May 2000.
  4. (d) There were a total of 104 SPADs by Connex South Eastern trains over the last three financial years: 41 in 1998–1999, 35 in 1999–2000, and 28 in 2000–2001. So far this year, April to May 2001, Connex South Eastern have had 3 SPADs.
  5. (e) The Connex South Eastern SPAD incident on 26 June at Bickley Junction near St. Mary Cray, is currently under investigation by the HSE's Railway inspectorate. The results of this investigation will be published in HSE's June monthly SPAD report, which will be placed in the House Library at the end of this month.