NEWS.CATEGORY: Industrial
Climate challenges exposed by Stonehaven, says TSSA
Today the Department for Transport has released an interim report into the fatal train derailment at Carmont, near Stonehaven, in August. The initial findings point to heavy rainfall and washed out stone on the track being responsible for the derailment.
Commenting, TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes said:
"Our thoughts continue to be with the loved ones of those who died in this tragic accident. It appears that atrocious weather caused the train to derail.
"I recently wrote to Simon French, the Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents, recognising the severe weather conditions and serious flooding that day. I asked a number of questions pertaining to this tragic incident, including: why weren’t all train services cancelled on the day? Why were some services allowed to continue and not others? I really much hope that his team of investigators will be able to answer this question when they conclude their investigation.
"It's crystal clear that climate change is leading to more extreme weather events which brings huge challenges to transport infrastructure. Our industry has already recognised this and the need to increase the resilience of our railways in the face of it. The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, must now give cast iron guarantees that the investment needed to secure our railways will be made available.”