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Rail industry statement on rail speed restrictions
date 25 October 2000 source ATOC type Press release
The rail industry met this evening at the headquarters of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and united behind an agenda to reaffirm safety as the number one priority.
The meeting also discussed the findings to date concerning the Hatfield derailment, which appears to have been caused by a broken rail which suffered from gauge corner cracking. The group then considered the practical implications for the operation of the rail network, the emergency timetables to be put in place by the train operators and plans for getting the service back to normal.
Railtrack advised that it would take about two weeks to assess all potential sites and to develop a programme to address the issues. In the meantime train operators are working with Railtrack to develop emergency timetables to ensure passengers suffer minimum disruption to their services.
The whole industry apologised to customers and committed to doing everything possible to keep passengers informed and to resolve the current problems.
ENDS
For more information call the ATOC Press Office on 020 7904 3010
