ITV News Report:National Rail 'warned' about repairs before woman was struck by train in Pewsey

https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2025-03-29/national-rail-warned-about-repairs-before-pensioner-struck-by-train

The RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) have now launched an investigation into this incident.

More details here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fatal-accident-at-pewsey-footpath-crossing

This recent video from Danny Kruger (the Member of Parliament for Pewsey) gives more context about the footbridge and rail crossing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAPxV1qvviI

https://www.newvalleynews.co.uk/news/outstanding-member-of-the-community-dies-after-being-hit-by-a-train-inquest-report/

This was such a tragic death which could have been avoided.

Network Fail urgently need to fix the bridge AND improve safety at the rail crossing which has no warning lights or sirens despite having very limited visibility.

I often use this crossing and express trains from Paddington come hurtling round the corner at 100mph. Once you see a train you have only three seconds to cross over. Trains should sound their horn on approach to the crossing, but they don't always do so.

Someone on Twitter complained to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) that this morning's 0815 departure from Pewsey departed at 0812 which meant that some passengers missed it through no fault of their own and had to wait over an hour for the next train at 0927
https://x.com/thompson_r86939/status/1879082643758940168

I checked the train in question - 1J72 - on RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) and it shows that it indeed departed Pewsey 3 minutes earlier than scheduled:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y22156/2025-01-14/detailed#allox_id=0

I don't think this sort of thing happens very often, does it?

Overnight, it looks like 7A40 remained in Hungerford loop and 6A50 remained in Woodborough Up loop.

According to RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) both these stone trains are scheduled to depart from their respective loops this morning.

I just heard from another source that there were at least four separate fires!

No steamers showing on Realtimetrains from this morning.

However, I just noticed that the 7A40 stone train from Merehead to Hanwell Bridge Loop went from 36mins late at Lavington to 87mins late at Bedwyn before coming to a stand between Bedwyn and Hungerford.

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Journeycheck is reporting: "Due to a fire next to the track between Pewsey and Bedwyn all lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until 15:00 02/07. Several fires next to the railway in the area between Bedwyn and Pewsey means that both lines on that route are currently blocked. The Fire Service is attending the fire locations."

It seems rather odd for there to be fires at multiple locations?

Also, if the line is blocked between Bedwyn and Pewsey, why has 1C77 (1035 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains)) been at the platform at Pewsey since 11:52 this morning? Did this train cause the fires?

Someone on the WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) forum has said that dragging brakes caused wheelflats on one or more wagons.

It now appears to have moved off as 6Z16 back to Westbury.

Did they manage to stop in time?

Whereabouts did it happen?

I very much doubt it - At some point in the proceedings this morning, the usual sleeper set was swapped out for an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)). 

The line between Westbury and Theale will be completely closed between Sat 18 Feb - Thu 2 Mar which means no trains will be calling at intermediate stations: Pewsey, Bedwyn, Hungerford, Kintbury, Newbury, Newbury Racecourse, Thatcham, Midgham and Aldermaston. A rail replacement bus service will be in operation.

More details on the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) website:
https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/planned-engineering/newbury

Apparently, this work is essential to protect the ongoing safety of the route and involves relaying life-expired track, replacing lineside equipment and renewing structures. I do realise this sort of work is essential, but I think it is rather excessive to close such a long section of line for such a long time. 

What is the rationale behind this decision? Seems bonkers to me.

In June I went for a trip on one of the Castle sets and thought it was brilliant. They have been refurbished really well and it will be a retrograde step to retire (and presumably scrap) them.

I still think you need to add a separate option for train strikes.

Cracked brackets, lack of crew, floods, leaves on the line, disruptive passengers, scheduling errors, axle counter failure or a cow moo-ving around on the track are all unplanned one-off events which cause disruption that results in an unreliable train service.

That is rather different to having NO TRAINS ALL DAY on strike days because of train strikes which are deliberately planned to cause disruption.