To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve safety and reduce risk to passengers and the public in the Sussex area of the South East Route; and if he will make a statement.

Network Rail and the train operating companies have a duty to manage the risks created by their operations and develop safety management systems to ensure effective design, planning, delivery and control.

The Office of Rail and Road, in its role as the independent railway safety regulator, undertakes inspection, monitoring and assessment activities designed to identify and minimise risks.

The regime is the same for all routes and the UK has one of the safest railways in Europe.