§ Lord Bradshawasked Her Majesty's Government: Why the Great Western Railway line near Slough was closed for approximately 24 hours following the fire on 19 June; and who gave the instruction to close it for so long; and [HL3594]
Whether the decision to close the Great Western Railway line on 19 June was reviewed at any point in the ensuing 24 hours; and [HL3595]
Whether, following the closure of the Great Western Railway line on 19 June, any assessment was made of the safety implications and cost to travellers of using alternative routes or modes of transport. [HL3596]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamOn 19 June the Berkshire Fire Brigade discovered that oxy-acetylene cylinders were involved in a fire at a residential property close to the Great Western Railway line at Slough which were in danger of explosion.
The line was closed following a risk assessment, which included the economic and social costs. by the Berkshire Fire Brigade of the initial and ongoing incident carried out by their incident commander and was taken in accordance with the Fire Services Inspectorate's guidance on oxy-acetylene cylinders. Network Rail has advised that the Berkshire Fire Brigade required it to close the line.
155WAEarly on the afternoon of 20 June, the Berkshire Fire Brigade, with the assistance of British Oxygen Company experts, re-examined the oxy-acetylene cylinders involved in the fire for any sign of "hot spotting". Shortly afterwards the line was re-opened.