RMT SPARKS BROKEN RAIL ENQUIRY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2013 :: RMTnews 4 An enquiry has been launched after RMT released shocking pictures revealing six inches of rail head crumbled away leaving a lethal gap in the track on the InterCity East Coast Mainline at Hambleton South Junction near Selby. The picture follows RMT’s publication by of a similar damning picture taken at Colton Junction on the ECML just a few miles away in December last year where normal running speeds are 125mph. It appears from the picture that an original crack had been identified on inspection and painted blue to mark it down for repair or replacement, exactly as happened at Colton Junction. But due to delays, which RMT blames on maintenance and staffing cuts, the initial crack crumbled away to a large gap in the rail head, leaving the risk of a serious and potentially lethal incident. A train could have derailed, jumped the tracks and collided with an on-coming service. RMT understands that there is massive pressure to keep the ECML running from the government and the Department of Transport as they look to re- privatise the service. There are also persistent demands on Network Rail from the budget- holder, the Office of Rail Regulation, to cut back on rail renewals work despite the potentially-lethal consequences as exposed in graphic detail by RMT. Pressure from a high-profile media campaign by the union has forced Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) to launch a full investigation into the condition of the track on the ECML. The RAIB is also investigating a number of rail breaks that have occurred on other lines including: • a vertical rail break that was discovered on a section of continuously welded rail, after a member of the public reported unusual levels of noise as trains passed over a stretch of line near Corby Glen, Lincolnshire (September 14 2012); • an approximate 100mm gap due to a broken rail at an insulated block joint Main line at Copmanthorpe, near York, that was reported by the driver of a train on the adjacent line (November 28 2012). Both of the above incidents involved sections of line traversed by trains travelling at speeds in excess of 100 mph The latest shocking pictures will fuel the urgency of that investigation which the union says must focus on the impact of cuts to staffing and renewals and the consequences of sub- contracting core functions. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the latest shocking pictures highlight the reality on Britain's railways today. “Staffing, inspections and track renewals have been cut in the dash to save money and there is massive pressure from the top of government to keep services running at all costs regardless of the potential human cost. “If we don’t reverse the cuts on Britain’s railways another major tragedy is inevitable,” he said. The union has argued that the McNulty report means that the industry is now facing exactly the same set of poisonous conditions that lead to the Hatfield disaster. “RMT is demanding action before it is too late and the RAIB investigation must look at the poisonous impact of cuts to staffing and renewals work and the sub-contracting of jobs that should be undertaken in-house,” he said. RMT exposes gap in track on East Coast mainline and warns of "another Hatfield" if staffing and maintenance cuts aren't reversed RMT SPARKS BROKEN RAIL ENQUIRY