Network Rail press releases

News Releases: London & South East

NETWORK RAIL CONCLUDES 700 ADDITIONAL POINTS CHECKS

Sunday 25 February 2007 14:39

Network Rail has completed 700 additional precautionary visual inspections of points that were implemented following the incident in Cumbria on Friday evening.

The points checks were conducted both in the area near to the incident as well as on high-speed lines around the country, on similar sets of points to those that are at the focus of the investigation into Friday's incident. Work to conduct 700 additional checks started at day-break on Saturday and has now been concluded. Regular checks as part of ongoing maintenance regimes will continue.

Commenting on the conclusion of these additional inspections, Network Rail Chief Executive John Armitt said: "The additional checks were a precautionary measure that any responsible organisation would carry out. Passengers should be reassured that our investigation has shown nothing out of the ordinary at any location we have visited.

"Our maintenance teams will continue with the day and night job of maintenance, including the visual inspections of points on a regular basis. We are continuing to fully co-operate with the RAIB investigation into Friday’s incident, the cause of which we are determined to understand."