Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Tram Safety

20 September 2021 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West

Transport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Sarah Jones raised concerns about tram safety in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • MP raised concerns about the tram crash in Sandilands, Croydon, highlighting safety issues and the need for technological improvements.
  • The Rail Accident Investigation Branch recommended automatic braking systems and enhanced driver alertness measures.
  • The Minister acknowledged the incident and noted the government's provision of 3 million to establish the LRSSB for improving tram safety.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West

The MP raised concerns about the tram crash in Sandilands, Croydon, which resulted in seven deaths and significant injuries. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch's report highlighted safety issues such as excessive speed and inadequate risk assessment leading to a recommendation for technology improvements like automatic braking systems and enhanced driver alertness measures. Despite progress in implementing recommendations, concerns were raised about the legal precedent set by the inquest ruling and the loophole preventing British Transport Police from charging individuals involved due to the tram being off-road. The MP urged the government to commit to continuous safety improvement and address these legislative gaps.

Other contributors (1)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Expressed agreement with the need for robust investigations into accidents, ensuring thorough inquiry processes.

Government Response

Trudy Harrison

The Minister acknowledged the tragic incident and thanked the MP for raising awareness. She highlighted the government’s provision of over £3 million to establish the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) aimed at improving safety standards across UK trams. The LRSSB has implemented several initiatives such as an industry risk model, a tram accident database, and ongoing research into new technologies for bolstering tram safety. While some recommendations remain unimplemented fully, the government continues to monitor progress towards full implementation. The Minister also committed to investigating potential loopholes in transport legislation as suggested by the MP and offered to meet with families involved in the case.

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