Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy that the remuneration of Network Rail executives should be reduced in response to the incidence of deaths on level crossings.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
I refer the Hon Member to my answer given today (UIN 193125).
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he last attended a board meeting of Network Rail.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
The Secretary of State has not attended any meetings of Network Rail's Board. Network Rail is currently a private sector company limited by guarantee, which is accountable in the public interest through independent safety and economic regulation by the Office of Rail Regulation.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the safety record of Network Rail, what his policy is on National Rail executives due to leave their posts receiving bonuses.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
Network Rail is currently a private sector company limited by guarantee, and the remuneration of its Executive Directors is a matter for its Remuneration Committee and Members. Under a condition of the company's network licence, it falls to the independent Office of Rail Regulation to ensure that Network Rail's bonus scheme framework is transparent, and rewards sustained and significant out-performance of the targets set for it.
With effect from 1 September 2014, Network Rail will be reclassified to the public sector. Work to decide on the best approach to governance, finance, and accounting and budgeting, including remuneration, has now begun. In advance of 1 September a Framework Agreement between the Department and Network Rail, which explains these decisions, will be published.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he last raised level crossing safety issues in a meeting with Network Rail.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
The Secretary of State meets with Network Rail regularly and a variety of issues are discussed.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of steps taken to improve the safety of level crossings since the death of Emma Lifsey in Bassetlaw constituency on 4 December 2012.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
The Secretary of State has made no assessment of the steps taken to improve the safety of level crossings. The safety of level crossings is a matter for Network Rail. The industry recommended further investment be provided in the 2014-19 period for level crossing closures and safety measures and a £109m ring fenced fund was agreed by the Government for this period.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many level crossings have wig-wag lights which are so old that they present a danger to the public.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
The Department for Transport does not hold this data. Prosecutions are a matter for the Office of Rail Regulation, the independent safety regulator for the railways, as the relevant enforcement authority.
More information can be obtained from:
Network Rail
Kings Place
90 York Way
London
N1 9AG
Telephone: 020 7557 8000
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Office of Rail Regulation plans to prosecute Network Rail in relation to the conclusions of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch that the wig-wag lights in place on 4 December 2012, in relation to the incident which killed Emma Lifsey, were old and could not be seen.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
Prosecutions are a matter for the Office of Rail Regulation, the independent safety regulator for the railways, as the relevant enforcement authority.
More information can be obtained from:
The Office of Rail Regulation
One Kemble Street
London
WC2B 4AN
Telephone: 020 7282 2000
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the treatment of Emma Lifsey's family by Network Rail following her death on a level crossing.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
The Secretary of State has had no discussions with Network Rail on this matter. Level crossing safety policy matters are discussed on a regular basis with Network Rail at an official level.