§ Lord Smith of Leighasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who is responsible for the health and safety implications of the overcrowding on passenger trains allowed by some train operators. [HL4567]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamThe responsibility for the day-to-day safety, welfare and convenience of passengers using the railway rests with the train operating companies. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing health and safety law on the railway network, but it does not limit the number of passengers that can travel on trains.
HSE participates in a working group led by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (responsible for improving health and safety performance), that is currently carrying out research into the health and safety effects on rail passengers of crowding on trains. They are expected to report on their findings later this year.
On 15 July 2004, the Government published a White Paper on the future of the rail industry which proposed transferring safety responsibilities from HSE to the Office of Rail Regulation. The Government intend to legislate for this in due course.