WILD SPECULATION ON CRASH WONT IMPROVE TUBE SAFETY
Monday, 27 January 2003
TUBE union TSSA today warned against speculating on the causes of Saturday’s derailment before an industry inquiry establishes the facts.
Early indications suggest rolling stock failure. It’s also premature to draw unfounded conclusions about management arrangements and criticising certain LUL staff.
TSSA General Secretary Richard Rosser said: “Fortunately there were no serious injuries or fatalities and we wish all those involved a speedy recovery.
“The Government is now legislating for a new Rail Accident Investigation Branch. To learn the lessons from such incidents requires impartial and dispassionate investigations.
“In the meantime we need to help LUL and the Health and Safety Executive examine the causes and implications of this derailment.
“Of course this will include assessing the adequacy of management procedures but that is only sensible.
“What is not sensible is speculation that the Tube is unsafe because of a single incident.
“The TSSA, which represents technical and safety staff on the Tube, says LUL is justly proud of its safety record but ultimately improving this performance will not only depend on effective procedures but on investing properly in a modern tube network.”
ends
For further information, please contact:
Alan Tipping, Policy Adviser (020) 7529 8006
Notes to Editors
1. TSSA represents 32,000 members in administrative, clerical, managerial, professional and technical jobs in the railways, buses, the London Underground, the travel trade, canals, ports and ferries, and road haulage.
