asked Her Majesty's Government:
In respect of the proposed Cambridge guided busway (a) what signalling system is to be used to ensure safety at road, footpath and other crossings and between buses on the guided sections; (b) which authority will approve the safety systems proposed; (c) which authority is responsible for investigating accidents on the busway; (d) what fencing requirements there are to prevent trespass or animal incursion on to the guided sections; (e) which vehicle construction, use and approval regulations apply to the guided buses; and (f) which services are required to be diverted to avoid the guided busway sections running over them. [HL1106]
These matters are primarily for Cambridgeshire County Council as promoter of the scheme. I am grateful to it for providing information to help to respond to your questions.
(a) Public highway road crossings will be controlled by traffic signals. At access roads, vehicles will be required to give way to guided buses. Footpath and bridleway crossings will be uncontrolled. There will be no other signals controlling buses on the guided busway.
(b) Since guided busways are exempt from the requirements of the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety Regulations) 2006, Cambridgeshire County Council, as operator, is responsible for satisfying itself that safety systems are appropriate.
(c) The Health and Safety Executive, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and the police are the authorities responsible for investigating accidents on the busway.
(d) In respect of fencing, the Cambridgeshire guided busway is similar to a new highway; boundary fencing will be provided and, where agreed with adjacent landowners, stockproof fencing will be provided. There will be no fence between the guideway and the bridleway which runs alongside the guideway.
(e) The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998, the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certification) Regulations 1981, the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 and the Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984 (SI 1984 No. 1406). (All as amended). These are the same regulations as apply for any bus used on the public road.
(f) None.