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Network Rail admits crash errors Network Rail admits crash errors
(about 2 hours 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 over 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 in west London.
Network Rail pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the signal was clearly visible from a sufficient distance. The plea is an admission of risk creation - not an acceptance of responsibility for the accident.
We are going to stick this out Linda Di LietoBereaved mother Delay frustrates crash relatives We are going to stick this out Linda Di LietoBereaved mother Delay frustrates relatives
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. Relatives of three of those who died 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. After the 20-minute hearing at Blackfriars Crown Court in south London, Jonathan Duckworth, chairman of the Paddington Survivors Group, said: "We are pleased they have pleaded guilty, but the plea will reduce the amount of the fine."
Risk creation Signal failures
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. The indictment against Network Rail, which owns and operates Britain's rail infrastructure and was Railtrack at the time of the crash, cited various breaches of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.
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". Among them, it listed inadequate signal sighting distance, said part of a signal had been obscured by a large insulator, and criticised the signal's visibility.
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 said the signal configuration at the scene had been "found nowhere else in the UK".
The company also admitted failing to conduct any "adequate risk assessment" or investigation following the Spads. It further criticised Network Rail for failing to ensure a signal sighting committee met after six Spad (Signals Passed At Danger) incidents between 1996 and 1998.
And it said the company failed 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. On 18 December, 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.
Lessons have been learned and the rail industry has changed enormously for the better over the past seven years Network RailLessons 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, asked for the adjournment to allow time for a mass of "unused material" to be examined.
Depending on the result, the Crown may seek a special Newton hearing, to determine Network Rail's precise level of culpability.
A Network Rail spokesman said in a statement: "The Ladbroke Grove tragedy was a terrible event for everyone involved.A Network Rail spokesman said in a statement: "The Ladbroke Grove tragedy was a terrible event for everyone involved.
"Lessons have been learned and the rail industry has changed enormously for the better over the past seven years.""Lessons have been learned 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. More Spads
"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.
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.
Public inquiry
The ORR added that the rise was "possibly connected with exceptionally high temperatures".
Thames Trains and Railtrack were both criticised in a public inquiry report by Lord Cullen.
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 and Railtrack were both criticised in a subsequent public inquiry report by Lord Cullen.
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.
  • Meanwhile, the Office of Rail Regulation said the number of Spads this summer had risen compared with last summer.
    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.
    The ORR said the rise was "possibly connected with exceptionally high temperatures".