Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Thursday, 1 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 May 2003. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Thursday, 8 May 2003 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on the recent occasions on which a train protection and warning system has been disabled.

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the recent occasions on which a train protection and warning system has been disabled. [111866] Mr. Jamieson: The Health and Safety Executive advise that, since April 2001, the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) has correctly operated and brought the train to a stop on 157 occasions. In none of these instances was the TPWS system disabled. However, on eight occasions the driver took action to reset the TPWS and continued forward without first contacting the signaller for authorisation, which is a contravention of the Rule Book. Action is being taken by the rail industry to rectify this type of driver behaviour.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 111866; 404 c831W;404 c827-8W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Railways Railway signals Safety measures Automatic train protection
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk