Written question asked by Andrew Turner (Conservative) on Monday, 17 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 January 2002. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 January 2002 on behalf of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, who has responsibility for (a) setting and (b) enforcing the maximum capacity of railway carriages in order to protect public safety.

Answer: Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who has responsibility for (a) setting and (b) enforcing the maximum capacity of railway carriages in order to protect public safety. [24874] Mr. Jamieson: Responsibility for monitoring overcrowding on commuter services rests with the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). The responsibility for the day to day safety, welfare and convenience of passengers using the railway rests with railway operating companies. There are no Health and Safety Regulations or absolute limits set on the numbers of passengers who may be carried as all rolling stock is designed to run safely at maximum capacity. Some train operating companies are required to carry out passenger counts on commuters to meet the passengers in excess of capacity (PIXC) limits set by the SRA.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 24874; 377 c861W;377 c864-5W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Railways Passengers Overcrowding Safety Trains Train operating companies
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk