Skip to main contentAccess keys help

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Last Updated: Friday, 28 November, 2003, 16:52 GMT
'Inadequate' torches missed crack
Tube
An interim report into a derailment at Camden was also released
Torches used by track inspectors were not powerful enough to spot a crack in a rail which caused a Tube derailment, a report has said.

On 17 October a Piccadilly line train derailed shortly after leaving Hammersmith Station.

No-one was hurt but the wheels on the last carriage left the tracks, causing damage to rails and sleepers.

The full report into the incident said lighting used was not "sufficient for an adequate inspection".

London Underground released the report on Friday.

It said: "The halogen head-torches provided are adequate in terms of the needs of the patrolman for his personal safety, but would not provide the light levels or beam required to identify the more subtle defects."

The way forward is for the RMT, all other unions and Tube staff to work with me to make sure we can run the Tube safely and efficiently
Tim O'Toole, LU
Another Tube derailment occurred two days later on the Northern Line at Camden Town, after which seven people required hospital treatment.

A series of design flaws was the key cause of this derailment, according to an interim report by LU.

It found that design weaknesses in a set of points meant that, under certain conditions, a train could leave the rails.

Proposed 'go-slow'

The company said engineers had taken immediate precautions to identify and check similar track elsewhere on the network.

Managing director of LU, Tim O'Toole, said: "This report is a big step forward in coming to grips with the under funded Tube system that we inherited.

"However, a Tube "go-slow" - proposed yesterday [Thursday] by the RMT - will not improve safety on the Tube.

"It will only cause disruption to Londoners and Tube users travelling to work, or Christmas shopping for their friends and families.

"The way forward is for the RMT, all other unions and Tube staff to work with me to make sure we can run the Tube safely and efficiently."




SEE ALSO:
'Checks missed broken Tube rail'
14 Nov 03  |  London
Tube 'failing safety standards'
27 Oct 03  |  London
Second Tube train derailed
19 Oct 03  |  London
Tube train derails
17 Oct 03  |  UK


RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia
UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health
Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes
AmericasAfricaEuropeMiddle EastSouth AsiaAsia Pacific