§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made in addressing the findings and recommendations of the Health and Safety Executive concerning the Potters Bar derailment; what steps have been taken in respect of nuts on the adjustable stretcher bars of points in the Potters Bar area; and if he will make a statement. [79918]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe progress report published by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Potters Bar Investigation Board on 4 July 2002 made a number of recommendations to improve the safety of railway points on Railtrack (now Network Rail), its maintenance contractors and HSE's HM Railway Inspectorate (HMRI).
The Investigation Board was informed by Railtrack of measures it was taking to improve safety, including the provision of guidance on good practice for safely setting up and maintaining adjustable stretcher bars.
Network Rail has also promised to complete by next month an in-depth design review of railway points using adjustable stretcher bars as recommended by the Investigation Board. It has also given a commitment to lead a workshop with its contractors to promote a determined and consistent approach to progressing the Investigation Board's recommendations.
The Investigation Board has considered the initial responses from Railtrack and its contractors and will consider the more detailed responses once Network Rail has completed the in-depth design review.
HMRI inspectors will be carrying out further spot checks on a sample of points as a follow-up exercise to the one carried out in June.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects to receive the next interim report from the Health and Safety Executive on the Potters Bar rail accident. [79472]
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 5 November 2002]: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have advised that, subject to the completion of all necessary technical inquiries, the Potters Bar Investigation Board expects to publish its next progress report in the first quarter of 2003. However, consistent with its published terms of reference, the Board will consider putting into the public domain beforehand any information it judges to be in the interests of furthering the cause of improved rail safety. The Board meets regularly and reviews this question very carefully.