Urgent assessment of rail safety systems

973

6 October 1999

Prescott announces urgent assessment of rail safety systems

John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, today announced an urgent independent assessment of train protection systems and ways of reducing the number of signals which are passed at danger. 

It will be conducted by Sir David Davies, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and until recently Chief Scientific Adviser at the Ministry of Defence. Sir David aims to provide initial advice by the end of December.

Mr Prescott said:

"Yesterday's appalling accident outside Paddington has quite rightly focused attention yet again on railway safety systems.  In August I announced regulations to require the installation of train protection measures across the network, as recommended by the Health and Safety Commission.

"In view of the continuing debate about alternative safety systems, I have asked for an independent opinion on these extremely important issues.  Sir David Davies is among the country's most eminent and experienced engineers.  He has today accepted my invitation to assess urgently the different available systems of train protection, including their effectiveness, practicability and cost."

Mr Prescott said that Sir David Davies' report would also consider the recent evidence of an increase in the number of signals passed at danger.  He continued:

"A recent report by the Health and Safety Executive highlighted a disturbing increase in the number of signals passed at danger. The report called on the rail industry to take urgent action to improve safety.  I want complete assurance that the industry is doing enough to reduce the dangers."

Sir David Davies' advice to the Deputy Prime Minister will be separate from the current public inquiry into the Southall rail crash, chaired by Professor John Uff QC, and the public inquiry into the Paddington disaster announced by Mr Prescott yesterday.  His appointment does not prejudge either inquiry's conclusions. However, his assessment will be made available to the Southall inquiry.

Notes to Editors

Sir David Davies CBE, FIEE, FEng, FRS was until last year Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence.  He was President of the Institute of Electrical Engineers from 1994 to 1995 and is currently President of the Royal Academy of Engineering.  He was vice Chancellor of the University of Loughborough.  From 1967-1971 he was Director of Research at the British Railways Board.