A parliamentary report has demanded immediate reforms to Britain’s rail safety protocols after investigators confirmed a train passed a red signal moments before a fatal derailment last month. The incident, which occurred near Grantham on the East Coast Main Line, claimed four lives and injured 23 passengers.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) released its preliminary findings on Wednesday, stating that the driver of the high-speed service failed to stop at a signal set to danger. The train subsequently struck a stationary engineering vehicle at low speed, causing multiple carriages to leave the tracks.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh told the Commons that the government would accept all recommendations from the report, which include mandatory installation of automatic warning systems on older rolling stock and enhanced driver training programmes. “The public deserves absolute confidence in our railways. We will not tolerate systemic failures,” she said.
The report highlights that the signal in question had been subject to a known technical fault in the preceding weeks, though Network Rail had not issued a safety bulletin. The operator, London North Eastern Railway, stated it was cooperating fully with the inquiry.
Opposition MPs accused ministers of complacency, noting that similar signal overrun incidents had been flagged by the RAIB on four occasions since 2019. Rail union ASLEF called for an independent safety regulator, arguing that current oversight is fragmented between Network Rail, the Office of Rail and Road, and the Department for Transport.
A memorial service for the victims is scheduled for Friday at Grantham Parish Church. The RAIB’s final report is expected within six months.
