WRITTEN QUESTION E-0584/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Danger to passengers escaping from fires represented by the power supply running alongside underground railway tracks in narrow tunnels without footpaths

1. Is the Commission aware that most metro systems for underground public transport in cities work on an electricity supply carried by a third rail running alongside the rails on which the trains travel, and that some of these raised electricity rails, although partially covered by wood (Hamburg) or synthetic material (most cities), nevertheless represent a contact risk which would be fatal to human beings?

2. Is the Commission also aware that although in the event of fire in metro tunnels caused either by technical faults or deliberate attempts to cause disasters, passengers must be able to escape quickly, inter alia because of the rapid burning up of the already scarce oxygen supply in tunnels, no underground railway tunnels built before 1980 have a special raised footpath for escaping passengers?

3. Does the Commission recognise that passengers who have to make their escape through old, narrow tunnels over rails running alongside the live current rail run an unacceptably high risk because they not only have to escape quickly from the fire, but also have to avoid any contact with the power rail that acts as a low fence?

4. Does the Commission agree with me that this is not a purely local problem, but a Community safety problem of growing importance, which is present in many European cities, and that we cannot wait for local solutions, which are usually only sought after a disaster has occurred in any given city?

5. Is the Commission prepared to ensure that before a date to be decided all underground railway tunnels in the EU must have a safe escape path that is not identical with the railway, and that where tunnels are too narrow or cannot be widened, the power supply may only come via an overhead cable (as in the case of a tram or electric train) or through an overhead power rail (like the one in Madrid)?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 2003)

The design of subway systems, to which the Honourable Member refers, remains under the direct responsibility of the national and local authorities. Without doubt, the Commission attributes high importance to passenger safety. To this end, increased public concern regarding the risks to which the public is potentially exposed has been addressed by the Commission in the recent second railway package. Within the package, the Commission has presented a draft Directive(1) promoting common safety targets and common safety methods for community railway systems in the Member States, (currently examined by the Council). The proposed Directive clearly provides a certain margin for Member States in the adoption of implementation measures for subways, tramways and other light rail infrastructures. It also leaves the possibility to Member States to extend such safety requirements, to urban rail infrastructures in order to enforce higher levels of protection.

Furthermore, following the recommendations of a recent study commissioned by the Commission on Obstacles to the Internal Market on Rail Mass Transit (RMT)(2), the Commission is evaluating the possibility of launching a consultation with all the concerned parties on the harmonisation of safety requirements for RMT installations. This is to ensure that all views are heard before considering whether to embark on a legislative proposal covering the issue.

(1) OJ C 126 E, 28.5.2002.

(2) http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/rail_guided_transport/rail_mass_transit.pdf.