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Network Rail admits crash errors Network Rail admits crash errors
(about 1 hour later)
Network Rail is facing an unlimited fine after admitting health and safety breaches relating to the 1999 Ladbroke Grove rail crash that claimed 31 lives.Network Rail is facing an unlimited fine after admitting health and safety breaches relating to the 1999 Ladbroke Grove rail crash that claimed 31 lives.
It admitted charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Sentencing was adjourned to 18 December.It admitted charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Sentencing was adjourned to 18 December.
The crash happened when a Thames Trains train passed a red signal and hit a Great Western express.The crash happened when a Thames Trains train passed a red signal and hit a Great Western express.
Network Rail pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the signal was clearly visible from a sufficient distance.Network Rail pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the signal was clearly visible from a sufficient distance.
Relatives of three of those who died, who attended the 20-minute hearing, called the adjournment yet another example of "prevarication" by Network Rail. We are going to stick this out Linda Di LietoBereaved mother href="/1/hi/uk/6103210.stm" class="">Delay frustrates crash relatives
Risk creation Relatives of three of those who died, who attended the 20-minute London hearing, called the adjournment yet another example of "prevarication" by Network Rail.
The charge the company admitted also said part of the signal had been obscured by a large insulator.The charge the company admitted also said part of the signal had been obscured by a large insulator.
Risk creation
Network Rail, which owns and operates Britain's rail infrastructure, had failed to ensure "so far as was reasonably practicable that persons not in its employment who might be affected thereby were not thereby exposed to risks to their health and safety", it said.Network Rail, which owns and operates Britain's rail infrastructure, had failed to ensure "so far as was reasonably practicable that persons not in its employment who might be affected thereby were not thereby exposed to risks to their health and safety", it said.
We are going to stick this out Linda Di LietoBereaved mother
Covering two A4 sheets of paper, the charge also said the signal configuration at the crash scene had been "found nowhere else in the UK".Covering two A4 sheets of paper, the charge also said the signal configuration at the crash scene had been "found nowhere else in the UK".
It further criticised Network Rail - formerly Railtrack - for failing to ensure a signal sighting committee met, not only following equipment installation in 1995, but also after six Spad (Signals Passed At Danger) incidents between 1996 and 1998.It further criticised Network Rail - formerly Railtrack - for failing to ensure a signal sighting committee met, not only following equipment installation in 1995, but also after six Spad (Signals Passed At Danger) incidents between 1996 and 1998.
The company also admitted failing to conduct any "adequate risk assessment" or investigation following the Spads.The company also admitted failing to conduct any "adequate risk assessment" or investigation following the Spads.
'Unused material''Unused material'
Its guilty plea is an admission of risk creation - but not an acceptance of responsibility for the deaths and injuries caused by the crash.Its guilty plea is an admission of risk creation - but not an acceptance of responsibility for the deaths and injuries caused by the crash.
At London's Blackfriars Crown Court Judge, Aidan Marron QC adjourned sentencing until 18 December, when Network Rail will indicate the full basis of its guilty plea in writing. At London's Blackfriars Crown Court, judge Aidan Marron QC adjourned sentencing until 18 December, when Network Rail will indicate the full basis of its guilty plea in writing.
They have put all the bereaved families through torture Maureen GrovesBereaved mother Lessons have been learned and the rail industry has changed enormously for the better over the past seven years Network Rail
Nigel Sweeney QC, defending, had asked for the adjournment to allow time for a mass of "unused material" to be examined.Nigel Sweeney QC, defending, had asked for the adjournment to allow time for a mass of "unused material" to be examined.
But Linda Di Lieto, whose son, Sam, a 24-year-old Cellnet sim designer manager, from Bloomsbury, central London, was killed on the Thames train, said: "It seems it is just a game to them. A Network Rail spokesman said in a statement: "The Ladbroke Grove tragedy was a terrible event for everyone involved.
Legal costs "Lessons have been learned and the rail industry has changed enormously for the better over the past seven years."
"How many times can they keep delaying? This has been going on for seven years.
"But we are going to stick this out. We are not going to vanish."
Railtrack killed my daughter Robin KellowBereaved father
Maureen Groves, whose daughter, Juliet, 25, a chartered accountant from Chiswick, west London, was also on the three-carriage local service, said: "They are playing for time, just trying to wear us down.
"The legal costs of all this must be staggering and could have gone on making the railway safer.
'Lessons learnt'
"They have wasted so much money and they have put all the bereaved families through torture."
Robin Kellow, whose daughter, Elaine, 24, an IT worker from Paddington, central London, was also among the fatalities, said: "Railtrack killed my daughter. Everybody knows they did."
Lessons have been learnt and the rail industry has changed enormously for the better over the past seven years Network Rail
A Network Rail spokesman said: "The Ladbroke Grove tragedy was a terrible event for everyone involved.
"Lessons have been learnt and the rail industry has changed enormously for the better over the past seven years."
The introduction of a Train Protection and Warning System that applies a train's brakes if it is approaching a red signal too quickly to stop had "greatly reduced the risk of an accident", the statement added.The introduction of a Train Protection and Warning System that applies a train's brakes if it is approaching a red signal too quickly to stop had "greatly reduced the risk of an accident", the statement added.
Public inquiry
"This change, along with many others, has helped to make rail travel today the safest form of transport.""This change, along with many others, has helped to make rail travel today the safest form of transport."
However, later on Tuesday, the Office of Rail Regulation said the number of Spads this summer had risen compared with summer 2005.However, later on Tuesday, the Office of Rail Regulation said the number of Spads this summer had risen compared with summer 2005.
There were 94 on Britain's mainline railways from July to September this year - eight more than in the same period last year, it said.There were 94 on Britain's mainline railways from July to September this year - eight more than in the same period last year, it said.
Four of the Spads this summer were potentially severe compared with two last summer.Four of the Spads this summer were potentially severe compared with two last summer.
They have pleaded guilty in a forum where there can be no proper accountability because the only penalty is a fine against a company heavily subsidised by the taxpayer Louise ChristianSolicitor Public inquiry
The ORR added that the rise was "possibly connected with exceptionally high temperatures".The ORR added that the rise was "possibly connected with exceptionally high temperatures".
Louise Christian, a solicitor who acted for bereaved families of Ladbroke Grove, said: "The sad thing is that Ladbroke Grove could happen tomorrow because the crucial recommendations of Lord Cullen on train protection systems were not implemented by the government."
Thames Trains and Railtrack were both criticised in a public inquiry report by Lord Cullen.Thames Trains and Railtrack were both criticised in a public inquiry report by Lord Cullen.
On Tuesday, Ms Christian said Railtrack had denied responsibility throughout the public inquiry.
"They have pleaded guilty in a forum where there can be no proper accountability because the only penalty is a fine against a company heavily subsidised by the taxpayer," she added.
We hope that the court uses the full range of sentences at its disposal when they come to sentencing Aslef general secretary Keith Norman
Keith Norman, general secretary of train drivers' union Aslef, said it was "appalling" that the company's "managers and decision-makers can stroll off without a care in the world".
The union demanded a "complete review of how the infrastructure is overseen" and is calling for corporate manslaughter laws to be strengthened.
"We hope that the court uses the full range of sentences at its disposal when they come to sentencing," Mr Norman added.
Jonathan Duckworth, the chair of a survivors group, told the BBC: "We would like to see a very, very large fine... that actually will affect, possibly affect, the viability of the company."
He added: "That is the way to make companies treat health and safety legislation with the respect it should have."
Network Rail should not be punished too harshly for the actions of its predecessor Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Alistair Carmichael
But Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: "Removing a large sum of money, in the form of a fine, will do the network no good at all.
"Network Rail should not be punished too harshly for the actions of its predecessor."
More than 400 people were injured in the crash on 5 October, 1999.More than 400 people were injured in the crash on 5 October, 1999.
Thames Trains pleaded guilty to health and safety offences in relation to the 1999 crash and was fined £2m in April 2004.Thames Trains pleaded guilty to health and safety offences in relation to the 1999 crash and was fined £2m in April 2004.