Firm Admits Failings Over 2002 Train Incident

A £3 million fine has been handed down to Network Rail over the safety failings which led to the Potters Bar train crash in 2002.

The punishment was handed down at St Albans Court after the company, which has taken responsibility although its predecessor Railtrack was in charge at the time, admitted breaching regulations.

Seven people were killed in the train crash nine years ago, with the poor condition of a set of points highlighted as the cause of the derailment.

Network Rail admitted failings in relation to the installation, maintenance and inspection of stretcher bars on the track.

Irwin Mitchell represents victims and the families of those injured and killed in a number of train crashes, including clients seriously hurt in the Grayrigg rail crash in 2007. That incident was also linked to the standard of points on the track.

Andrew Tucker, a personal injury specialist, said: “This substantial fine handed down to Network Rail demonstrates the seriousness of the problems seen in the aftermath of the terrible crash at Potters Bar.

“After its admissions in relation to safety failings, it is vital that the company provides swift and clear reassurances that lessons have been learnt from the unacceptable mistakes which led to the deaths of seven people.

“Through our work advising those serious injured in train crashes, we have seen the catastrophic chain of events which can be set off by avoidable and wholly preventable errors.

“It is vital that the same mistakes are avoided in the future and that the public can have every confidence in the rail network as a whole.”