Channel Tunnel Safety Authority publishes Annual Report 2001/2002"

CTSA01:02 - 8 October 2002

CHANNEL TUNNEL SAFETY AUTHORITY
COMITÉ DE SÉCURITÉ AU TUNNEL SOUS LA MANCHE
Secrétariat Général au Tunnel sous la Manche
22 rue du Général Foy - 75008 PARIS

Rose Court
2 Southwark Bridge
LONDON SE1 9HS

The Channel Tunnel Safety Authority (CTSA) has today published its Annual Report for the period from 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.

The Report covers the work of the CTSA and its Working Groups. The principal issues considered during this period included:

• examination of proposals from Eurotunnel for changes to the control of the gap behind shuttles carrying HGVs;

• examination and analysis of Eurotunnel's revised safety case; and

• proposals to revise a number of volumes of the safety arrangements for the operation of the Channel Tunnel.

The Report also comments on the operational safety regime; the outcome of binational emergency exercises; and the effect of unauthorised passengers or 'clandestines' on safety.

The Report also records that one of the outstanding recommendations from the CTSA's inquiry into the fire of November 1996 - the need to review the calibration of on-board detection systems for HGV shuttles - has now been successfully completed. The single issue which remains outstanding - involving the resolution of problems associated with crossover doors - is the subject of a long-term improvement programme which continues to be monitored by the CTSA.

Notes to editors

1. The CTSA advises the UK and French Intergovernmental Commission on all matters relating to safety in the operation of the Channel Tunnel Fixed Link. The CTSA has five members from the UK and five from France.

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