Red light railman 'using mobile'

Anglia Railways says it is taking the mobile phone claim seriously

A train driver has been disciplined for passing through a red stop light while allegedly using a mobile phone.

It is claimed the driver of the Norwich to London train was talking on the phone at the time of the incident on 29 December last year, at Claydon, near Ipswich, Suffolk.

The train ran for nearly a mile past the red light before stopping. Anglia Railways says it has checked the mobile phone's records, but cannot be certain the driven was using it.

Spokesman Jonathan Denby told the BBC that the mobile phone claim was taken very seriously.

Second incident at light

He said that it was one of two "Signal passed at danger" (Spad) incidents on the line.

The second one was in Essex, on a train approaching London on 26 February this year.

Mr Denby said: "Appropriate action has been taken against the individuals concerned, but there have been no sackings.

"Urgent notices have been sent out to avoid repeats of incidents and new rules introduced."

Anglia Railways has a policy against drivers using company or personal mobile phones whilst trains are in motion.

Managers are believed to be carrying out spot checks on drivers' mobiles to ensure they are complying with new policies about their use.