14.03.1996

Rail safety is first casualty

Within weeks of the first rail privatisations a major rail accident has occurred, involving one of the most controversial companies. On Friday March 8 a freight train, including l3 wagons containing carbon monoxide gas, was making its way to Willesden. Just south of Stafford a number of wagons became derailed and slid onto the opposite line.

The post office train travelling north collided with the derailed wagons and was hurled across the embankment, stopping within inches of a house. A postal worker was killed.

Both trains were owned by Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation which has the worst safety record of all rail companies in the USA and is fiercely anti-union.

Only last week one of its US trains carrying dangerous chemicals derailed and caught fire. The town of Weyauwega had to be evacuated and police say residents may not be able to return until next month.

Although it is far too early to say what caused the derailment at Stafford, the effects of privatisation are all too evident. Before the industry was split up into operators and Railtrack, which owns the infrastructure, British Rail would have set up an internal inquiry. This would have rigorously examined all the evidence, found a reason for the derailment, looked at the response of the workers and emergency services and made recommendations to make sure the lessons were learnt and changes implemented.

On the night of the crash Railtrack quickly pushed its spokesperson in front of the cameras to disclaim all responsibility. The desire to protect the company’s image and liability came before the need to find the reasons and protect safety.

The day before the crash the railway inspectorate had criticised Railtrack for its safety record. The West Coast Main Line, where the crash occurred came in for particular criticism. The inspector criticised track maintenance - 50 temporary speed restrictions are in force as a result of track deterioration.

Track maintenance is a very labour intensive business. Therefore, with the need to cut costs and boost shares, this has been the department which has suffered most cut-backs.

Contractors are increasingly used as a cheap alternative to full-time Railtrack workers. These contractors lack the experience and local knowledge of those they replace.

The costs of privatisation are becoming obvious. But, although Labour’s policy will soon be forced into the open, it still fudges the issue of renationalisation.

Aslef driver
Manchester