Paddington reforms 'not in place'

Seven people were killed in the Southall rail crash

Many of the safety recommendations made in the aftermath of the Paddington and Southall rail crashes are still not being followed, according to a safety watchdog.

Seven people died in the 1997 Southall crash and 31 were killed in the Paddington crash in 1999.

Both sparked public inquiries which were followed by the publication of 295 safety recommendations.

But 68 have still not been implemented, according to the Health and Safety Commission (HSC).

Rail bosses dispute the figure and say 11 of those have been implemented.

HSC chairman Bill Callaghan said: "I remain concerned that (Paddington inquiry chairman) Lord Cullen's core message on safety culture is not yet penetrating down through the whole industry."

Although we realise there is a way to go, we are taking great steps to ensure safety percolates through Network Rail spokesman

The HSC has urged Network Rail and train operating companies to address remaining issues, including managing contractors, train protection systems and embracing the culture of safety.

Three relate to improving signal sighting and signalling systems - which were at the centre of the Paddington crash.

The HSC recognised the "significant progress" made overall to improve safety.

But Mr Callaghan added: "Of the recommendations yet to be delivered, I regard those dealing with safety culture and management of contractors as the most important."

A spokesman for Network Rail said it had made many advances, including better control over contractors, since it took over from Railtrack last October.

"These include taking some areas of the network back in-house, work to be carried out by Network Rail staff, " he said.

"Across the whole network we are now taking all decisions about what work is going to be done when and where.

"Although we realise there is a way to go, we are taking great steps to ensure safety percolates through."