Incorrect
P. A. Crush's letter headlined, 'Safety should be No 1 priority', which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on June 25, referred to the lack of an independent assessment of the Airport Railway's safety.
This is incorrect. The Hong Kong Railway Inspectorate has been set up as an independent authority, among other things, to assess the safety of new railways in Hong Kong before their opening.
The inspectorate team has been involved in the design, construction and commissioning of the Airport Railway. They completed an independent safety audit on the Airport Railway before the commencement of the train services. According to their assessment, there is no evidence to suggest that the railway is in any respect unsafe for opening.
Other government departments such as the Fire Services Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department also conducted inspections of the railway facilities to ensure that they comply with the required standards.
Your readers can rest assured that no railway services will be allowed to operate unless and until they are able to meet all the safety requirements.
ALLAN CHOW for Secretary for Transport
