§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with British Transport Police regarding possible incidents involving track(a) maintenance and (b) vandalism at (i) Severn tunnel junction, (ii) Bristol parkway and (iii) other locations since January 2000; and if he will make a statement. [59886]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have been asked to reply.
None. There have been no discussions between the Department and British Transport Police (BTP) on specific incidents. However, I understand from BTP that they and the Health and Safety Executive work together closely on them.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the proposed railway safety body will be established; what its remit is; what the role of(a) contractors and (b) subcontractors will be within this body; and if he will make a statement. [59889]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have been asked to reply.
The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) are consulting on a proposed licence modification which would enable the proposed railway industry safety body (RISB) to be established without primary legislation. The RISB would take the role of an industry safety body as recommended by Lord Cullen in his part 2 report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry. The involvement of contractors and subcontractors in the decision-making processes of RISB forms part of ORR's consultation. If there is agreement to proceed by way of a licence change modification, ORR expect RISB to be in place by the end of the year.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the proposed rail accident investigation body will be 781W established; what its remit is; what the expected role of (a) contractors and (b) sub-contractors will be within this body; and if he will make a statement. [59888]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have been asked to reply.
We expect to consult this summer on proposals for the establishment of an independent rail accident investigation branch (RAIB) before publishing the necessary primary legislation. The remit of the RAIB will be subject to consultation but will reflect the recommendations made by Lord Cullen in his part 2 report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry. The role of contractors or sub-contractors within RAIB would be as witnesses, when appropriate, during investigations.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many incidents of motor vehicles colliding with trains on railway lines at level crossings there have been in each year since 1997; in which locations; and if he will make a statement. [59885]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have been asked to reply.
Incidents of motor vehicles colliding with trains on railway lines at level crossings since 1997 is as follows:
Year Number 1997–98 24 1998–99 27 1999–2000 24 2000–01 24 2001–02 16 The locations of these incidents are as follows:
782W
Location 1997–98 12 April 1997 Greenland Mill 26 April 1997 Glanyrafon 25 June 1997 Oaks Occ 26 June 1997 Okeltor 22 July 1997 Dingwall Middle 28 July 1997 Moat Farm No. 1 9 August 1997 Saxondale 23 August 1997 Berthddu 12 September 1997 Holywell, Newsham 12 September 1997 Club Lane 29 September 1997 Holywell Aocl 12 October 1997 Blackhill UWGT 13 October 1997 Washwood Heath 18 October 1997 St. Mary's Road, Dymchurch 9 December 1997 Glanyrafon 29 December 1997 Star Crossing, Rye 10 January 1998 Lechryd 15 January 1998 Swineshead AHB 18 January 1998 Toddington 24 January 1998 Trafford 10 February 1998 York 11 March 1998 Swineshead AHB 11 March 1998 Shaws Crossing 29 March 1998 Holywell
783W
Location 1998–99 15 April 1998 Miltonise 23 April 1998 Marchwood 12 May 1998 Ardrossan Princes AOCL 14 May 1998 Sutton Forest AHB 8 June 1998 Callerton Parkway Crossing 8 June 1998 Bye Farm Crossing 11 June 1998 Brora 26 June 1998 Dolfawr Farm 1 July 1998 Trout Farm 11 July 1998 Uttoxeter 18 July 1998 Millom 29 July 1998 Muir of Ord 29 August 1998 Three Gates 8 September 1998 Fron Goch 8 September 1998 Stoke Creek 14 September 1998 Crabtree Lane 20 September 1998 Marina 24 September 1998 Wainfleet AHB 7 November 1998 Hamsey 10 November 1998 Sands Lane 2 December 1998 Gypsey Lane 5 December 1998 Hibaldstow 8 December 1998 Llanwrda 22 December 1998 Coles Harbour 4 January 1999 Cwmbach Sidings 12 January 1999 Bertram Drive 21 March 1999 Hixon 1999–2000 1 April 1999 British Cellophane 3 May 1999 Rose Lane 20 May 1999 Whitegate Farm 31 May 1999 Allanfearn 21 June 1999 Low Mill 28 June 1999 Trencreek 1 July 1999 Blackwood 15 July 1999 Snaith Station 25 July 1999 Marsh Lane 26 July 1999 East Guldeford 29 July 1999 Gorsey Lane 3 August 1999 Dingwall Middle 20 August 1999 Ynys Uchaf 22 August 1999 Dalfaber 28 August 1999 Black Dyke 2 September 1999 Bretts 2 September 1999 Battery Road, Dungeness 4 September 1999 Manorbier 29 October 1999 Llanbrynmair 26 December 1999 Quarr Farm 29 December 1999 Swan Lane 2 March 2000 Ivy Lea 19 March 2000 Seghill 20 March 2000 Howdon Road 2000–01 3 April 2000 Sawbridgeworth Station 2 May 2000 Allanfearn 8 May 2000 Tregoss Moor 22 June 2000 Hixon 24 June 2000 Battery Road, Dungeness 12 July 2000 Beavers 4 August 2000 Borth Capel Soar 10 August 2000 Bragg Marsh 24 August 2000 Sweet Briar Lane 7 September 2000 Munllyn 24 September 2000 Weston Avenue 17 October 2000 Pooley Green 22 October 2000 Appenine Way 23 October 2000 Traethmawr 2 November 2000 Lairg 11 November 2000 Common Lane, Rankshill 12 November 2000 Bank Foot 15 November 2000 Coltishall Lane
Location 19 November 2000 Callerton Parkway 25 November 2000 Northwood 28 November 2000 Waterbeach Station 14 December 2000 Meldreth Road 25 January 2001 Quintrell Downs 14 February 2001 Wadhams North Barn 2001–02 19 April 2001 Forge Farm 5 May 2001 Moulinearn 14 June 2001 Shaws Crossing 26 July 2001 Swineshead 17 August 2001 Clattercote 21 August 2001 Allanfearn 23 August 2001 Ardorssan Harbour 25 August 2001 Shenley Hill Road Crossing 19 September 2001 Swan Lane 26 September 2001 Foxton 7 October 2001 Llwyn Cadwygan 29 October 2001 Rippins Main 17 November 2001 Cleghorn 1 January 2002 Norwood Road 7 February 2002 Tan Lane 15 February 2002 Carleton Level crossing accidents in Great Britain are among the lowest in Europe. However, as about 33 per cent. of railway collisions occur on level crossings they still present a significant area of risk. Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) are currently developing plans for a level crossing working party to critically look at all level crossing issues from first principles.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what changes are proposed to the remit of the HMRI in relation to railway(a) inspection, (b) safety cases and (c) accident investigation; what changes are proposed to the role of (i) contractors and (ii) sub-contractors within the HMRI; and if he will make a statement. [59890]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have been asked to reply.
No changes are planned to the remit of HMRI or to the role of contractors and sub-contractors within HMRI.
Subject to Parliament's approval of the necessary legislation, in future the Rail Accident Investigation Branch will have lead responsibility for rail accident investigation but HMRI will retain responsibility for breaches under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what recent representations he has received in relation to the role of contractors in(a) inspection, (b) safety cases and (c) accident investigation; and if he will make a statement; [59956]
(2) what discussions he has had with (a) Railtrack, (b) the HSE, (c) the HSC and (d) other organisations in relation to the role of contractors in (i) inspection, (ii) safety cases and (iii) accident investigation; and if he will make a statement; [59959]
(3) if he will make a statement on the role of contractors in the railway industry in relation to (a) safety inspection, (b) safety cases and (c) accident investigation; and if he will make a statement. [59957]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have been asked to reply.
784WOn 23 May, the then Secretary of State met with key players in the railway industry to discuss the issue of contractors in the railway industry. He also received a letter and report on this issue from the chair of the Health and Safety Commission on Friday 31 May, copies of which are available in the House Libraries.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposals for establishment of a railway industry safety body; and if he will place the consultation papers in the Library. [60596]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) are consulting on a licence modification which would enable the proposed railway industry safety body (RISB) to be established without primary legislation. If there is agreement to proceed by way of a licence change modification, ORR expects RISB to be in place by the end of the year. A copy of the consultation document was placed in the Library by the ORR in December 2001, it is also available on the ORR website www.rail-reg.gov.uk.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the programme of safety tours that the chief executive officer of Railtrack undertakes. [60610]
§ Mr. JamiesonMy Department does not hold the information requested, although I understand that the chief executive officer and other senior staff undertake such safety-related activities on a continuing basis.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings he has had with Railtrack officials since the Southwell rail accident. [60597]
§ Mr. JamiesonMinisters have regularly met Railtrack board members and officials since September 1997.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the primary legislation required to set up the Railway Accident Investigation Branch will be published. [60607]
§ Mr. JamiesonLord Cullen recommended the establishment of a Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), which will require primary legislation. We expect to consult this summer on our proposals for the establishment of RAIB before publishing the necessary primary legislation.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department is represented on the Railtrack Safety Executive. [60611]
§ Mr. JamiesonMy Department is not represented on the board of Railway Safety.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the development group meetings of key stakeholders of the rail industry safety body will be open to the public. [60608]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Rail Regulator has published a consultation document on the establishment of the rail industry safety body (RISB). Copies of the consultation document and the majority of responses are available on the Rail Regulator's website, together with other working papers discussed at the development group. The development group is intended to be a series of working 785W meetings to develop the detailed proposals for establishing RISB. It is not therefore open to the public. The Rail Regulator has however held two conferences open to a wide audience including passenger representatives, freight users, and trade unions. A transcript of the last industry conference on 9 May 2002 will be made available shortly on the Rail Regulator's website.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what initiatives and management systems the rail industry use to ensure employee involvement in safety issues. [60609]
§ Mr. JamiesonHealth and safety law places a duty on all employers to consult employees and their representatives in good time about specified aspects of their health and safety at work.
In addition, the Railway Safety Case Regulations 2000 places an explicit duty on railway employers to establish adequate arrangements for the passing and receiving of information relevant to health and safety to and from employees and others affected by their operations.
The railway industry also has a Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS). CIRAS offers an independent and confidential way for staff to report safety concerns without fear of disciplinary procedures. CIRAS is not intended to replace the normal reporting channels already operated by railway companies. Rather it is intended to work alongside them.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the(a) timescale, (b) terms of reference and (c) costs are of the consultation exercise on the establishment of an independent rail accident investigation body; and if he will make a statement. [60595]
§ Mr. JamiesonLord Cullen's part 2 Ladbroke Grove report made a number of recommendations about an independent rail accident investigation branch (RAIB). We expect to consult this summer on proposals for the establishment of RAIB which are drawn from these recommendations. The consultation exercise will run for 12 weeks from the date of publication, as set out in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation. Responses to the consultation will be carefully analysed following this period, and in advance of primary legislation. The costs of consultations exercises are included in the Department's running costs.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many children were injured on railway lines in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [60393]
§ Mr. JamiesonInformation held by the British Transport police on fatal and major injuries to juveniles (under 16 years) in relation to trespass offences is contained in the following table:
Year Fatal Major injuries 1997–98 6 10 1998–99 5 9 1999–2000 5 13 2000–01 8 16 2001–02 3 7