Written question asked by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 22 May 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 June 2002. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Monday, 10 June 2002 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 22nd May, ref 58199, if he will (a) provide a breakdown of the table by (i) wild animals, (ii) cattle and (iii) domestic animals and (b) provide an explanation for the decline in 2001-02. - Includes table.

Answer: Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 May 2002, Official Report, column 349W, if he will (a) provide a breakdown of the table by (i) wild animals, (ii) cattle and (iii) domestic animals and (b) provide an explanation for the decline in 2001-02. [60031] Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply. The Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate only records incidents of trains running into either cows or horses where the animals were subsequently killed, injured or retrieved from railway lines. Details are contained in the following table. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Cows Horses 1996-97 67 15 1997-98 56 14 1998-99 53 13 1999-2000 71 17 2000-01 68 14 2001-02{1} 46 5 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Provisional Figures are also recorded for trains striking other animals if the strike causes damage to the train which necessitates immediate repair. However the type of animal is not recorded. All these figures are also available in HM Chief Inspector of Railways Annual Report on Railway Safety, copies of which are in both House Libraries. It is not year clear whether the decline in 2001-02 has any statistical significance. However, factors may include the better provision of fencing and the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 60031; 386 c788W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Animals Accidents Cattle Domestic animals Railways Railway track Wildlife Trains
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk