Near miss as train passes workers in tunnel

A track worker stood against a tunnel wall as a train passed at more than 30mph in what investigators described as a "near miss".

Two other workers moved into alcoves in the tunnel wall as the train passed them in Bookham Tunnel, near Bookham station in Surrey, in April last year.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch)) found a line had been blocked to trains, but the workers were in a different location, and neither they nor the signaller realised.

Investigators made three recommendations to Network Rail after finding failings. Network Rail said safety was always its priority and it was reviewing recommendations.

Chief inspector of rail accidents Andrew Hall said: "Bookham Tunnel is one of a number of near misses that serve as a warning." He said theory and "bitter experience" showed "a pattern of near misses will eventually end in tragedy".

The track workers had been walking through Bookham Tunnel at 11:42 BST on 29 April last year, when the passenger train passed at 33mph (53km/h).

A report on Monday said the distance between the tunnel wall and the nearest running rail where the workers were walking was about 1.6m (5.2ft), but the available space between the tunnel wall and the passing train was between 1m and 1.15m.

Rules state that for line speeds below 100mph, a position of safety should be at least 1.25m from the nearest running rail.

Investigators said a "safe work pack" detailing safety arrangements incorrectly contained line blockage arrangements for nearby Mickleham Tunnel rather than where the team was working. They said the error was introduced at the planning stage and went unnoticed, despite checks.

The RAIB highlighted the lack of a specific process for managing the transfer of information between systems and found steps were not routinely carried out or not carried out effectively.

Hall said investigators also identified learning points for workers, adding it showed "how safety is now heavily dependent on every worker having an accurate understanding" of line blockages and safe working.

Chris Cornish, regional health, safety and environment director for Network Rail, said the organisation fully supported the RAIB and recognised the findings. He said: "While no one was injured, this was a serious near miss and we are committed to learning the lessons to reduce the risk of this happening again. We are also continuing our national work to improve track worker safety, including through a programme focused on clearer planning and the use of technology to better protect colleagues working on the railway."