NO MORE LADBROKE GROVES

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2024 :: RMTnews 15 On October 5, 1999 two passenger trains collided almost head-on after one of them had passed a signal at danger, killing 31 people and injuring 417 including Brian Cooper driver of the HST, and Michael Hodder driver of the Class165 DMU. The Ladbroke Grove rail crash, also known as the Paddington rail crash, was the second major crash on the Great Western Main Line in just over two years, the first being the Southall rail crash of September 1997, a few miles west of this crash. Both crashes would have been prevented by an operational automatic train protection (ATP) system, wider fitting of which had been rejected on cost grounds. This severely damaged public confidence in the management and regulation of safety of Britain's privatised railway system. A public inquiry into the crash by Lord Cullen was held in 2000. Since both the Paddington and Southall crashes had reopened public debate on ATP, a separate joint inquiry considering the issue in the light of both crashes was also held in 2000; it confirmed the rejection of ATP and the mandatory adoption of a cheaper and less effective system but noted a mismatch between public opinion and cost- benefit analysis. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch Annual Report 2023, published in May 2024, noted the continuing failure of the rail industry to provide 100 per cent train protection and recent over speeding incidents has led to growing concerns. “Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) was introduced around twenty years ago, but it was not intended for temporary speed restrictions and an exemption was granted against fitment for protection against overspeeding at diverging junctions. “TPWS was also not intended to provide 100 per cent protection in circumstances where it is fitted. TPWS fitment was a stopgap measure while the railway waited to fit automatic train protection, which would bring with it features to supervise the speed of trains. Universal fitment of such technology is a long time away. “Does TPWS provide sufficient mitigation of overspeeding risk now and into a possibly long-term future?” the report concluded. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch re-iterated union concerns over lack of investment in infrastructure in the rail network. “While the terrible events at Ladbroke Grove ultimately contributed to the abolition of the privatised entity Railtrack and the creation of the publicly owned company Network Rail, lessons still need to be learnt. “The fact remains that job losses, casualisation, a myriad of contractors, long-hours and fatigue – all driven by cuts on the railway – remain a blight on the network,” he said. NO MORE LADBROKE GROVES Union calls for more investment on the 25th anniversary of one of the deadliest rail crashes in UK history REMEMBER: RMT sent a delegation to the remembrance ceremony at the Ladbroke Grove crash memorial: Left to right: Paul McLauchlan (Chair, RMT Paddington No.1 branch), Alex Gordon (RMT President), Stephen Rees (Chair Cardiff No.7 branch), Paul Thomas (President, RMT SW&W Regional Council), Oluwarotimi Ajayi (RMT NEC, Region 7)