Rail Accident Investigation Department Needed To Reassure Travelling Public

Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on forthcoming transport legislation from today’s Queen’s Speech, said:

"Liberal Democrats have been calling for a rail accident investigation branch since February 2001. The public are increasingly concerned about the safety of public transport after a series of high profile accidents making a rail investigation department essential.

"But the use of contractors in investigating accidents must be opposed, as there is too much scope for conflicts of interests when contractors are involved in managing the tracks as well as in investigating accidents.

"This legislation is a lost opportunity to tackle the many problems facing our transport system, such as cutting down on car usage and improving our buses. Although the Government has begun to tackle safely on public transport they have done nothing to make passengers waiting for often delayed buses or trains feel less vulnerable as they wait at stations or bus stops.

"As the number of casualties from road accidents far outnumber those from railway accidents it is clear that focussed preventative measures are desperately needed."

This article published: 16/11/2023

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