Railway and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 

I was the other person on the telephone listening to the noble Lord, Lord Bradshaw, briefing the noble Earl, Lord Mar and Kellie. I certainly do not intend to repeat any of the arguments that he has used. However, I should declare an interest as chairman of the Railway Heritage Committee and as a member of the legal affairs committee of the Heritage Railway Association. My particular concern with this order relates to heritage railways. As the noble Earl said, a derogation of two years is proposed by the Government in these regulations, but it is extraordinary that there is not a permanent derogation, because the new arrangements are not intended to apply to those sorts of railways. Heritage railways are an important part of our nation’s tourist industry: 105 heritage railways are open to the public; they have 413 miles of track and 5.2 million passengers and 7 million visitors each year. They are a significant element of the tourist industry and it is counterproductive and unfair for them to be burdened with unnecessary regulations, particularly as they are confined to a maximum line speed of 25mph. I hope that my noble friend will be able to provide some comfort on this.