
![]() |
Mark Sennett
Managing Editor |
![]() |
Kelly Rose
Editor |
Home> | Premises | >Risk Management | >Network Rail fined following ORR investigation |
Network Rail fined following ORR investigation
02 December 2020
FOLLOWING AN investigation by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), Scotland’s Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has prosecuted Network Rail for allowing trains to travel at more than 100mph over a badly storm damaged viaduct.
Network Rail has now been fined £10,000 for the safety breach, by Lanark Sheriff Court, after pleading guilty to an offence under health and safety law.
Lamington Viaduct in South Lanarkshire was badly damaged after severe storms in late 2015. Network Rail allowed several trains to cross the viaduct before realising it had been damaged and eventually closed the line for seven weeks for major repair works.
Commenting from ORR, HM chief inspector of Railways Ian Prosser CBE said, "We welcome this outcome by the Crown Office. Our investigation revealed that Network Rail staff were unaware that they held safety critical duties under Network Rail’s processes to manage infrastructure during extreme weather.
"The viaduct was on Network Rail’s list of high risk structures vulnerable to being washed away by moving water, yet despite this being a known issue, severe damage went unrecognised because Network Rail failed to implement its own procedures which would have meant no passenger trains should have passed over the viaduct.
"This verdict should be a reminder to Network Rail, as it progresses plans led by its two new task forces, that it must continue to acknowledge and act to guard against the serious impact of severe weather on infrastructure."
- Prince William to launch workplace wellbeing website
- Cutting through the noise
- Housing Association fined £80k for multiple HAVs diagnosis
- Conviction for illegal asbestos site
- Practitioner viewpoint - June 23
- HSM to host PPE Digital Conference
- Union fears Brexit deal will damage workers rights
- Fostering the right culture to help suicide prevention
- HSE publishes report on waste sector safety
- Lighthouse Charity pioneers bold path for prisoners