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London underground collision 'narrowly avoided', RMT union claims London underground collision 'narrowly avoided', RMT union claims
(2 months later)
Two London Underground trains travelling in opposite directions on a single-line track narrowly avoided a head-on collision, the tube workers' union has claimed.Two London Underground trains travelling in opposite directions on a single-line track narrowly avoided a head-on collision, the tube workers' union has claimed.
The RMT said a disaster was only averted on the Northern Line on Monday evening by the quick thinking of the driver of one of the trains. But London Underground accused the union of irresponsible scaremongering, insisting there was "no risk to staff or customers".The RMT said a disaster was only averted on the Northern Line on Monday evening by the quick thinking of the driver of one of the trains. But London Underground accused the union of irresponsible scaremongering, insisting there was "no risk to staff or customers".
An RMT spokesman said: "A train out of Finchley Central was given a target speed to proceed out of the station and after approximately two train lengths was asked to apply an emergency brake.An RMT spokesman said: "A train out of Finchley Central was given a target speed to proceed out of the station and after approximately two train lengths was asked to apply an emergency brake.
"Upon doing this the train operator became aware of a train approaching from Mill Hill which is a single track line. The driver was forced to take emergency action and to reverse and move back to Finchley Central, avoiding a potential head-on collision with the train heading south on the same section of track. Both trains were in service and carrying passengers and it was only due to the swift action of the driver that a potentially fatal head-on collision was avoided.""Upon doing this the train operator became aware of a train approaching from Mill Hill which is a single track line. The driver was forced to take emergency action and to reverse and move back to Finchley Central, avoiding a potential head-on collision with the train heading south on the same section of track. Both trains were in service and carrying passengers and it was only due to the swift action of the driver that a potentially fatal head-on collision was avoided."
The RMT said it has asked London Underground to explain how the two trains ended up on the same section of track and called for a full safety investigation by the rail regulator, the ORR.The RMT said it has asked London Underground to explain how the two trains ended up on the same section of track and called for a full safety investigation by the rail regulator, the ORR.
The London assembly Labour transport spokeswoman, Val Shawcross, also called for an urgent investigation. The RMT general secretary, Bob Crow, accused tube chiefs of trying "to sweep this incident under the carpet" and said it "exposes the lethal gamble of driverless tube operation".The London assembly Labour transport spokeswoman, Val Shawcross, also called for an urgent investigation. The RMT general secretary, Bob Crow, accused tube chiefs of trying "to sweep this incident under the carpet" and said it "exposes the lethal gamble of driverless tube operation".
The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has said he will never again buy a train with a cab for a driver and that the underground will be fully automated by the 2020s.The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has said he will never again buy a train with a cab for a driver and that the underground will be fully automated by the 2020s.
London Underground's operation director, Nigel Holness, said: "It is totally irresponsible of the RMT leadership to attempt to scaremonger in this way. There was no risk to staff or customers, the signaller ordered the train to come to a halt as it was departing Finchley Central station and when it was around 1km away from Mill Hill East, and well clear of the single track section of the Mill Hill East branch.London Underground's operation director, Nigel Holness, said: "It is totally irresponsible of the RMT leadership to attempt to scaremonger in this way. There was no risk to staff or customers, the signaller ordered the train to come to a halt as it was departing Finchley Central station and when it was around 1km away from Mill Hill East, and well clear of the single track section of the Mill Hill East branch.
"However, the signalling would have also prevented it travelling onto the single track. We are of course looking closely at the incident to ensure that our processes are working and being followed correctly, but we have an excellent safety record and we would never compromise the safety of our staff and customers.""However, the signalling would have also prevented it travelling onto the single track. We are of course looking closely at the incident to ensure that our processes are working and being followed correctly, but we have an excellent safety record and we would never compromise the safety of our staff and customers."
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