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Fast Rail Investigation Needed: HallGippsland MP Peter Hall has called for an investigation into the quality of some components of the new fast rail link to Gippsland, after expressing concerns in Parliament about the manufacture of the signals. By Peter Hall - 17th September 2004 - Back to News Mr Hall, speaking on Wednesday (15 September), told Parliament he had been informed that the new signals are being installed at less than the recommended minimum safety standards.
"I understand the safety standards for these new signals require a minimum clearance of 8 inches between the train and the overhead signals.
"Apparently the government is insisting on the signals being installed with only an actual 2 inch clearance. The government, I believe, is saying, 'Let's try it and see what happens'.
"If that is the case, that is not good enough. Minimum safety standards should be of paramount importance, particularly when we are talking about high-speed travel."
Mr Hall said he had been informed the new signals were being installed on the Gippsland line and possibly on the other lines to Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong as well.
"I simply ask the minister today if he could investigate this matter and respond to the chamber and give us an assurance that safety standards for signals are going to be adhered to on all the lines where the regional fast rail project is taking place."
Mr Hall added that he had also been told the signals were being manufactured overseas, and expressed his surprise that they may not be Australian-made.
"I thought there could have been an Australian producer to manufacture that product for this project." Outside Parliament, Mr Hall said he believed that Australian manufacturers should be utilised wherever possible in all State Government projects, especially in large undertakings such as the fast rail.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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