State of the rail tracks report, 'it's getting worse'

Article Abstract:

A report from the UK's Health and Safety Executive reveals in its annual Railway Safety report that the state of Britain's rail tracks is worsening. The report judges that 33% of the track network is in decline, with only 22% showing improvement. Rail breaks on the network have risen from 2.75 to 3.31 per million train miles, with broken rails reaching 937 in 1998/99. Vandalism continues to be a problem for track operator Railtrack, with 56% of all train accidents caused by malicious action.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code:

Ashford building collapse report published after Crown Prosecution Services fails to find sufficient evidence for manslaughter

Article Abstract:

A Health & Safety Executive report has concluded that lightweight concrete blocks in a parapet wall were responsible for the collapse of an office block in Ashford, England in 1995, which killed four construction workers. The single-storey office block was built in 1969/70, and extended to three storeys a year later, without replacement of lightweight concrete blocks which made up the bottom course and supported load-bearing columns.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code:

Catalogue of failures led to Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, says HSE

Article Abstract:

The causes of the Ladbroke Grove train crash, in which 31 people were killed, are presented in the Health and Safety Executive report. Failures by the train driver and train operators and problems caused by poor signalling layout and train escape routes are described.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code: