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Network Rail fined £20,000 for train incident at Acton West junction

2 December 2011

Network Rail has been fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,000 following a prosecution brought by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) for health and safety offences after a train hit maintenance equipment at Acton West junction in June 2008.

Yesterday's sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court follows an ORR investigation into the incident. On the night of 24 June 2008, five Network Rail maintenance workers were preparing to work on the track at Acton West junction. Through a planning error, they had been sent to a location which was not blocked to trains. The workers placed a trolley carrying equipment onto the line, unaware that a train was routed towards them and had to scatter to avoid being hit.

The train hit the trolley, suffering minor damage and passengers on board had to be evacuated. Fortunately no-one was injured.

ORR's investigation found that Network Rail had failed to ensure the safety of its employees working on the site. The company failed to adequately plan, control and monitor the safety measures needed before its workers accessed the tracks.

Commenting on the case, Allan Spence, ORR's deputy chief inspector of railways, said:

"Network Rail's poor management and planning of maintenance work at Acton West junction put rail workers in danger. In this instance, it is very fortunate that no one was injured.

"The safety of workers and passengers on Britain's railways is one of the rail regulator's key priorities. Our railways are among the safest in Europe, but there is always room for improvement.

"Network Rail has made considerable changes to improve safety at its work sites since this incident, but ORR will always take appropriate enforcement action - including prosecution - when necessary to protect the safety of those working or travelling on the railway."

Notes:

ORR prosecuted Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd for a contravention of section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and regulation 5(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

On 7 October 2011, Network Rail pleaded guilty at Ealing Magistrates' Court to the two charges of contravening health and safety law and the case was referred to the Crown Court for sentencing.



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