§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with what frequency safety inspections are carried out on Translink rolling stock, broken down by type. [161893]
§ Mr. SpellarI have been advised by Translink that:
(a) bogey inspections are carried out on all rolling stock every 48 hours;
(b) 450 and 80 Class rolling stock and ex-Gatwick Express carriages are inspected every 5,000 miles;
586WEducation and Library Board area since 2000. We can be justifiably proud of our public library service that is regularly used by people of all ages and social classes. While the trend in traditional library usage has been declining in recent years, the most recent published figures show that in 2001–02 approximately 7 million visits were made to public libraries in Northern Ireland. Since the installation of the Peoples Network during 2002–03, indications are that membership of public libraries has been increasing but as yet official figures are not available.
(c) Enterprise carriages are inspected every 24 hours and a weekly examination is also carried out; and
(d) locomotives are inspected every three months.
§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisation is responsible for the(a) inspection and (b) maintenance of railway lines in Northern Ireland; how often safety inspections are carried out on railway lines in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [161894]
§ Mr. SpellarNorthern Ireland Railways is responsible for the inspection and maintenance of railway lines in Northern Ireland. Primarily Northern Ireland Railway's own labour force carries out maintenance, with input from specialist contractors as required for technical or volume reasons. I have been advised by Translink that the inspection regime is as follows:
Track
Jointed track is visually inspected every other day, Monday-Friday.Continually welded track is inspected weekly.Supervisory inspections are carried out at least half yearly.Technical condition of track is recorded twice yearly.Structures
Sea defences are inspected annually.Rock slopes are inspected monthly.Bridges are inspected visually during track walks and structurally on an annual basis.Signalling equipment
All signalling equipment is inspected four times per year.Additional inspections are carried out after incidents such as severe weather and where impact damage has occurred.