Committees

Rail safety inquiry launched

15 September 2016

The Transport Committee launches an inquiry to examine the safety and security of the rail network as a whole and to follow up on inquiries by previous Committees on safety at level crossings (March 2014) and security on the railway (November 2014). The Committee is interested in the effectiveness of the current system of management, investigation, regulation, enforcement and policing in ensuring the safety of passengers, workers and the public. The inquiry also looks at specific measures which could improve rail safety.

Scope of the inquiry

The Committee is particularly interested in:

  • The Department and Network Rail's progress in implementing recommendations made by the previous Transport Committee on level crossings, and further actions which could be taken to reduce harm at level crossings
  • The Department, BTP and BTPA's progress in implementing recommendations made by the previous Transport Committee on security on the railways, the effectiveness of current measures to reduce violent crime, and the appropriateness of the BTP's current priorities
  • The effectiveness of the current system of rail safety management, investigation, regulation, enforcement and policing, including the ability of industry and government bodies to coordinate effectively.
  • The effect of the result of the EU referendum on the current framework for rail safety and security
  • The extent to which growing passenger numbers, infrastructure upgrades, and major infrastructure projects may impact on the safety of passengers, workers, and the public
  • The scope for further improving the management of infrastructure and train operation, including strategies for maintaining assets in poor weather conditions and minimising accidents and near misses caused by rail worker fatigue
  • The adequacy of measures to protect persons at the platform-train interface
  • Progress on current initiatives to improve railway worker safety and further actions which could be taken to improve the safety of railway workers, including those individuals working on infrastructure construction and on the tracks, and those exposed to occupational hazards
  • The effectiveness of measures to prevent trespass and fatalities on the railways and other approaches which could reduce the numbers of fatalities and injuries

Send a written submission

The Committee would be grateful to receive written submissions by Friday 21 October 2016. Evidence submitted after this date will still be accepted but may not inform the oral evidence session.

Further information

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