§ Harry Cohen:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the implications for safety of the procedure of turning a rail track; whether the turning of a curved rail track has been assessed as having a safety implication; and if he will make a statement. [141179]
§ Mr. McNulty:This is an operational matter for Network Rail and as with all safety issues, the Health and Safety Executive. I am however assured by Network Rail that turning or 'transposing' of rail is carefully controlled to ensure that only rail with sufficient head width is transposed. In such cases rail standards with clearly defined limits for permissible side wear exist.
§ Harry Cohen:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what inspection methods are in place to discover (a) corrosion pitting and (b) possible problems at the foot and web of a rail track; what plans he has to improve inspection methods relevant to these conditions; and if he will make a statement. [141180]
§ Mr. McNulty:This is an operational matter for Network Rail who inform me that a number of new techniques are currently under trial or development to improve the detection of rail depth, corrosion pitting and gall over sleepers.
Ultrasonic Testing vehicles are now routinely monitoring rail depth for most major routes and guided ultrasonic equipment is currently being trailed which carries out inspection of the whole cross section of the rail from a fixed point using low frequency longitudinal ultrasonic waves. This should enable significant changes in section in the head, web or foot of the rail to be detected whether due to cracking or loss of section due to corrosion.
Coated rail products are also being used successfully in the network where local environments are harsh. This provides a barrier coating to the head and foot of the rail preventing corrosion or damage.