Railtrack escapes crash prosecution

Railtrack is to escape prosecution over a crash which was almost a carbon copy of the 1988 Clapham rail disaster. Instead, British Rail will be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive next month for its role in the accident, last September, near Walthamstow, east London, when one train ran into the back of another.

Overnight work on the track was not properly completed when trains were allowed back on the line. Railtrack is responsible for track work but sub-contracts most of it out, and until recently all the sub-contractors were owned by British Rail. The HSE felt there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Railtrack, but BR faces fines of up to pounds 40,000 Christian Wolmar