The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its report today into the collision of a freight train with a road vehicle at Bratts Blackhouse No1 User Worked Crossing, near Sizewell in Suffolk, on 22 May 2006.
The full report is available here:
A summary of the key points from the report is included below:
Summary
On Monday 22 May a freight train was conveying a discharged nuclear flask from Willesden Brent Yard to Sizewell on a freight-only branch line. As the train crossed over Bratts Blackhouse No1 User Worked Crossing at 19mph, it was in collision with a road vehicle. No one was injured in the collision. The train was not derailed but suffered some minor damage, and the road vehicle was also damaged.
The immediate cause of the accident was that the motorist did not stop at the designated Stop Board and drove directly onto the crossing into the path of the approaching train without looking. The main causal factors were the gates at the level crossing, which had been left open for some time and could not be closed, and the driver's failure to look for approaching trains because he had never encountered a train at the crossing before.
Recommendations
The RAIB has made eight recommendations aimed at:
- communication of safety information to users of user worked crossings;
- inspection and maintenance of user worked crossings;
- improvements to Bratts Blackhouse No1 User Worked Crossing signage;
- warning to permit the safe use of Bratts Blackhouse No1 crossing;
- the need to preserve evidence following an accident that has been notified to the RAIB;
- signallers’ awareness of power supply failures
Notes to Editors
1. The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety. The RAIB does not establish blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.
2. For media enquiries please call 020 7944 6984.
Newsdate: 26 April 2007
