THE lessons of the Grayrigg rail accident, which left a pensioner dead ‘still have not been learnt’, according to Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s (RAIB) annual report has revealed that seven out of the 22 recommendations made to Network Rail following the crash in February 2007 had yet to be implemented.
An initial report by the RAIB revealed that the accident was caused by a faulty set of points, while a later report found that Network Rail safety officers had missed an inspection due to take place eight days before the crash, which would have picked up the points’ deterioration.
A series of recommendations were made in the report including reviews of maintenance and inspection standards and of the design of points.
However, Network Rail has rejeced five of those recommendations and is considering whether to accept another, while the RAIB believed the steps carried out to meet one recommendation do not address the issue.
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), the safety authority for the majority of the UK’s railway system, is currently considering Network Rail’s rejections.
Mr Farron said: “This failure makes it much harder for the ongoing uncertainty over railway points to be addressed.
"The Grayrigg tragedy was caused by points failure as was the Potters Bar tragedy and countless other near misses which thankfully did not lead to an accident.
“Now that this news has been revealed, it is vital that Network Rail act immediately to make the necessary improvements to make sure there isn’t another repeat of the Grayrigg tragedy.”
A spokesman for Network Rail said the company has worked closely with the RAIB and the ORR to fulfil is obligations following the Grayrigg accident.
He added: ”Following a comprehensive and detailed industry investigation we made immediate changes to our maintenance regime.
"Today there is no safer form of travel than rail and despite Grayrigg, the railways are safer than ever before.”
A spokesman for the ORR said it was continuing to work with Network Rail to ensure that, where appropriate, it meets the RAIB's recommendations.
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