HL Deb 07 February 2002 vol 631 cc116-7WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they plan to fit cup and cone override protection on Mark 1 rolling stock both (a) between individual coaches in a multiple unit; and (b) at the end of multiple units. [HL2567]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The industry is still in discussion with the Health and Safety Executive about the precise details of the cup and cone modification.

Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the estimated cost of fitting cup and cone override protection to Mark 1 rolling stock; the number of coaches they plan to fit with cup and cone override protection; the date by which this work must be completed; and the last date when such trains will be permitted to operate. [HL2568]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Under the Railway Regulations 1999, Mark 1 passenger rolling stock must be modified by 31 December 2002 unless an exemption is granted. Any Mark 1 rolling stock which is modified in the way specified by these regulations can be operated until 1 January 2005. The regulatory impact assessment tabled with the regulations in 1999 estimated the cost of fitting cup and cone to Mark 1 rolling stock at between £7,000 and £11,000 per carriage in 1999. There are some 1,500 passenger Mark 1 carriages still operating. The number of these to be fitted with cup and cone override protection will depend on how many carriages are withdrawn from service before the end of 2002, and on the Health and Safety Executive's decision on any case for exemption which train operators may make.

Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What additional protection cup and cone override protection will provide in the event of a collision between (a) two Mark 1 coaches in the same multiple unit; (b) two Mark 1 coaches in adjacent multiple units; and (c) one Mark 1 coach and another type of passenger coach. [HL2569]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The Health and Safety Executive advises that the cup and cone modification will provide substantial protection against two Mark 1 multiple units overriding one another, at speeds of up to about 35 mph. Individual carriages within a Mark 1 multiple unit are unlikely to override one another, with or without the modification. The modification is not intended to give override protection in the event of a Mark 1 unit colliding with another type of train.

Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their estimate of the number of lives which will be saved as a result of fitting cup and cone override protection to Mark 1 coaches. [HL2570]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The Health and Safety Executive has advised that in 1999, it was estimated that 0.5 equivalent fatalities per year would be prevented.