'SIGNALS PASSED AT DANGER' ON TUBE MORE THAN TREBLE IN A DECADE

8.43.25am GMT Mon 31st Oct 2005

London Assembly Liberal Democrat today released shocking new research that shows the number of Signals Passed at Danger (SPADs) on the Tube has more than trebled in the last decade.

According to the new research there were 296 Signals Passed at Danger in 1995. By 2004, this had increased to 969 - an increase of 227%.

The London Assembly Liberal Democrats also revealed today that there have been more than 2,500 Signals Passed at Danger on London Underground since the Mayor and the PPP companies took over running the Tube.

According to Transport for London, the number of SPADs resulting from driver error is decreasing, but the number of technical failures resulting in trains passing red lights is on the rise.

Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport spokesperson, Geoff Pope, said:-

"It is shocking that on average there are more than two signals passed at danger on the Tube every day.

"The failure to tackle the spiralling number of signals passed at danger smacks of a history of deep malaise and complacency over many years from London Underground.

"It is deeply worrying that ever since the Mayor and the PPP took over running the Tube the number of Signals Passed at Danger has continued to rise dramatically.

"Serious questions must be asked into how, over years, London Underground has failed to deal with the ever increasing number of Signals Passed at Danger.

"Transport for London will undoubtedly point to the train protection system and the action plan they have in place to reduce the number of SPADs and keep passengers safe, but they must recognise that any Signal Passed at Danger is one too many.

"While the Tube does have comprehensive safety systems, passengers will worry that a technical failure might lead to a collision and loss of life."

ENDS

Notes to editor

The figures have been taken from Mayoral Question 1969/2005 from Geoff Pope and Health and Safety Executive Commentary of SPADS for the London Underground for 2001/02.

The full breakdown by Line, date and reason for the SPADs following the PPP and Mayoral takeover of the Underground can be found in the attached Power Point presentation.

Year Number of SPADs %age increase since 1995

1995 296 -

1996 396 33.78

1997 466 57.43

1998 412 39.19

1999 685 131.42

2000 658 122.30

2001 645 117.91

2002 750 153.38

2003 924 212.16

2004 969 227.36

In the 2005/06 Safety Improvement Plan, London Underground produced a 15 point plan to reduce the number of SPADs.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/downloads/pdf/reports/safety_plan_2005.pdf

In 2001, Ministers said in response to questions about SPADs on the Tube that:-

"London Underground take SPADs very seriously and are constantly working to reduce the number on their network."

(Hansard 9 Nov 2001 : Column: 453W)