INCREASE IN SIGNALS PASSED AT DANGER ON THE RAILWAYS

That this House is concerned by the report from the Rail Safety and Standards Board which found a dramatic increase in the number of signals passed at danger (SPADs) in July 2006 to 42 incidents, an increase of 62 per cent. compared with the same period in 2005; notes that this is 20 per cent. higher than the previous three-year average when weather temperatures were much lower; is further concerned that the extremely high temperatures in July 2006 affected the performance of train drivers thereby increasing the number of SPADs and compromising the safety of drivers and the general public; and calls upon train operating companies to ensure that all train cabs are fitted with sustainable air temperature control devices.