Department of Transport

Prescott calls for clear timetable on Channel Tunnel Safety Authority report
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date 13 May 1997
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 101

The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, today called for a clear
timetable for implementing the recommendations of the CTSA's report
on last November's fire.

He said:

"I welcome the Safety Authority's report which is an indictment of
poor operating procedures and practices by Eurotunnel. Its
recommendations for the future are addressed to Eurotunnel and I
expect the company to implement them promptly and in full. I shall
want to see an early programme with a clear timetable for completion
of the Authority's requirements.

"The Safety Authority will be advising the Inter Governmental
Commission tomorrow on the position reached on the proposals from
Eurotunnel for resuming HGV shuttle services, so that they can come
to a decision.

"Safety must be the paramount consideration in operating the Channel
Tunnel. I know there are concerns - which I share - regarding the
design of the freight wagons and Eurotunnel's operation procedures
for them. The Inter Governmental Commission will be considering
these points and I shall be instructing the UK's representative to
reflect my concerns."

Railhub Archive ::: 1997-05-13 DoT-001