Written question asked by Lord Berkeley (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Attlee (Conservative) on Wednesday, 23 March 2011.

Railways: Light Rail Vehicles

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Earl Attlee on 3 March (Official Report, col. 1173), what changes Network Rail made to the infrastructure in order to improve the ride quality on light railways; and whether the track conformed to European and United Kingdom standards before and after work was undertaken.

Answer: Network Rail has undertaken work on the Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town branch in order to improve ride quality for the class 139 Parry People Mover. The type of work undertaken includes joint straightening and spot sleeper replacement. This line is maintained in accordance with its standards for a category 6 line. This category is suitable for lines with low speed (20 mph) and low tonnage <2.5 EMGTPA (equivalent million gross tonnes per annum) and provided an adequate ride for typical heavy rail rolling stock such as the class 153 single car diesel unit. Network Rail has indicated that for future introductions of rolling stock such as the Parry People Mover, it would propose that jointed track be relayed with cascaded continuously welded track, eliminating potential faults at joints. Further information can be obtained from: Network Rail, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7401; 726 c187WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Railways: Light Rail Vehicles
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Oral questions
House of Lords; Railways: Light Rail Vehicles
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Oral answers to questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Rapid transit systems Railway track Stourbridge
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk