UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
13/08/2018
RAIB Investigates Worker's Near Miss With High-Speed Train
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has launched an investigation into an incident on the Leeds to King's Cross rail line, in which a track worker was nearly struck a high-speed train.
At around 10:52 hrs on 20 July 2018, a track worker, acting as a site lookout for another track worker, narrowly avoided being struck by the 09:16 hrs Leeds to King's Cross passenger service, just to the south of Peterborough station.
The train was approaching along the up fast line at around 102 mph (164 km/h) when the driver saw the site lookout, sounded the train's warning horn, and applied the train's brakes.
The site lookout moved out of the path of the approaching train about three seconds before the train passed him.
Because of the layout around Peterborough station and the speed of non-stopping trains, a distant lookout was needed to warn the site lookout when trains were approaching from the north, so he had enough time to warn the track worker and move off the track and into a position of safety until trains had passed. On this occasion, the site lookout was not warned of the approaching train because the distant lookout was not in place.
A distant lookout had been posted near the south end of Peterborough station, but believed he had been stood down. Another distant lookout, for a group of track workers working north of Peterborough station, was working from this position but looking for trains approaching from the south. As a result, this distant lookout did not see the train approaching from the north nor provide a warning.
The RAIB investigation will determine the sequence of events. It will also include consideration of:
• the actions of those involved
• the number of different work groups using lookout protection around Peterborough station before and during the incident
• the planning of the work of the various work groups in the vicinity
• any relevant underlying management factors.
The RAIB investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry's regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.
The investigation's findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, will be published at the conclusion of the investigation.
(MH/CM)
At around 10:52 hrs on 20 July 2018, a track worker, acting as a site lookout for another track worker, narrowly avoided being struck by the 09:16 hrs Leeds to King's Cross passenger service, just to the south of Peterborough station.
The train was approaching along the up fast line at around 102 mph (164 km/h) when the driver saw the site lookout, sounded the train's warning horn, and applied the train's brakes.
The site lookout moved out of the path of the approaching train about three seconds before the train passed him.
Because of the layout around Peterborough station and the speed of non-stopping trains, a distant lookout was needed to warn the site lookout when trains were approaching from the north, so he had enough time to warn the track worker and move off the track and into a position of safety until trains had passed. On this occasion, the site lookout was not warned of the approaching train because the distant lookout was not in place.
-- Advertisement --
A distant lookout had been posted near the south end of Peterborough station, but believed he had been stood down. Another distant lookout, for a group of track workers working north of Peterborough station, was working from this position but looking for trains approaching from the south. As a result, this distant lookout did not see the train approaching from the north nor provide a warning.
The RAIB investigation will determine the sequence of events. It will also include consideration of:
• the actions of those involved
• the number of different work groups using lookout protection around Peterborough station before and during the incident
• the planning of the work of the various work groups in the vicinity
• any relevant underlying management factors.
The RAIB investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry's regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.
The investigation's findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, will be published at the conclusion of the investigation.
(MH/CM)
Latest Construction News
29/01/2025
Caddick Construction has been awarded a £43 million contract to deliver the first phase of Cole Waterhouse's flagship regeneration scheme in Digbeth, Birmingham.
The project, known as Upper Trinity Street, marks a significant step in the area’s transformation.
Spanning 182,986 square feet, the re
29/01/2025
McLaren Construction has been appointed by O&H Properties to deliver the first phase of a £60 million Foster & Partners-designed development at the corner of New Bond Street and Grafton Street in London’s West End.
The seven-storey, 5,400 square metre prime retail and office scheme will feature ret
29/01/2025
GMI Construction Group has been awarded a contract to develop three high-specification warehouse units totalling over 175,000 square feet at Precedent Drive, Milton Keynes.
The £20 million project, commissioned by DV5 Last Mile Developments (UK) Ltd, a joint venture between Coltham and Delancey Re
29/01/2025
Plans for 106 sustainable new homes in Southville, a neighbourhood in South Bristol, have been approved as the city seeks to increase housing delivery to address growing demand.
Top 10 award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group will create a £60 million development on Raleigh Road, on land that was
29/01/2025
Bouygues UK has reached a major milestone in the fourth phase of the Hallsville Quarter regeneration project in Canning Town, London.
The project, part of the £3.7 billion Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme, recently held a topping out ceremony, marking the completion of the 11-s
29/01/2025
Willmott Dixon Interiors is carrying out a significant upgrade to the roof of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, one of London's most iconic cultural landmarks.
As part of the £12 million project, the company is installing over 23,000 square feet of sun-protected glazing above the museum’s
29/01/2025
Equans has been appointed by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to carry out crucial decarbonisation work across the councils' housing stock, using funding secured through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).
The councils used the South East Consortium's Zero Carbon Framework to s
29/01/2025
In the world of construction, the quest for energy efficiency and sustainability is ever-evolving. Among the array of solutions available, EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) insulation stands out as a versatile and effective option for enhancing the thermal performance of buildings, particularly when used f
29/01/2025
BCP Council has completed significant coastal protection works at Hamworthy Park, ensuring its resilience against erosion for the next 20 years.
A 200-metre stretch of sea wall along the eastern promenade has been reinforced using low-carbon concrete, while new steps have been constructed to improv
29/01/2025
Geo-environmental consultancy and remediation contractor, The LK Group, has strengthened its team with a trio of recruits.
The multidisciplinary company's latest raft of hires comprises a new director, associate director and remediation manager.
The geo-environmental specialist, headquartered i
