§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to ensure that there is clear responsibility and accountability for personal security design standards in new rolling stock to protect the public; and if he will make a statement. [88711]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Department for Transport and the Strategic Rail Authority are jointly engaged on a project to improve the on-train security of both passengers and train staff. The project will identify good practice for the building, refurbishment and management of railway passenger rolling stock.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research(a) has been carried out in the past five years and (b) is in hand to identify issues connected with passenger personal security and perceptions about their surroundings on the railways; and if he will make a statement. [88713]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Department is currently reviewing the personal security perceptions of public transport passengers, and has a joint project underway with the Strategic Rail Authority to improve the on-train environment for rail passengers and staff. We also undertook research three years ago to investigate the issues in developing a secure transport pilot route along the Manchester (Victoria) to Clitheroe rail route. As a result of this research, we are currently sponsoring a secure transport route co-ordinator to help implement the action plan to improve personal security. Analysing the perceptions of rail passengers has also been included in recent research projects to find out the transport needs of women, older people, and people from minority ethnic communities.
The Secure Stations Scheme is a national accreditation scheme recognising set standards of good practice in rail station, staff and passenger security. An independent survey of passenger perceptions is undertaken as part of the station's application process.
105W
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to require future editions of the annual report, Railway Safety, to incorporate data and performance measures concerning the personal security of passengers during the year, and the outcomes of action taken. [88714]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) annual report on railway safety does not contain data and performance measures concerning the personal security of passengers. The HSE does not record this information because it is not a legal requirement of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1995 (RIDDOR).
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will issue guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority that personal security is a key aspect of their responsibilities for safety; and if he will make a statement. [88712]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority, first issued by the Secretary of State on 11 April, state that the Authority should seek to promote the personal security of passengers travelling by rail. It should promote improved personal security at stations by encouraging accreditation under the Secure Stations Scheme and the Secured Car Park Scheme. It should also work with appropriate bodies to improve personal security on pedestrian routes to stations.