Network Rail ordered to improve

Faulty, deteriorated points caused the crash

Network Rail has been told to improve the way it manages track inspections after the Grayrigg crash in Cumbria.

One woman died and 89 were hurt when the Virgin train derailed in February.

Her Majesty's Railways Inspectorate (HMRI) said the company should make changes to its track-patrolling system by the end of March 2008.

In October, Network Rail accepted the findings of an initial Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report blaming the crash on faulty points.

The HMRI improvement notice, released by the RMT union, identified "failings in the system".

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "This report concludes that experienced and competent rail workers are getting on with the job of finding track faults despite management systems that are letting them down.

"NR's own investigation into the Grayrigg tragedy and the interim accident report both pointed clearly to management failings and lack of resources, and now we have the inspectorate telling us that the problem is network-wide."

He claimed that the improvement notice strengthened the case for a joint public inquiry into Grayrigg and the 2002 Potters Bar accident.

Margaret Masson was killed when the train plunged off the track

Network Rail said it welcomed the notice, which would "reinforce ongoing improvements already being carried out".

An HMRI spokesman confirmed that Network Rail had been ordered to "take action" by 31 March.

Margaret Masson, 84, from Glasgow died when the London to Glasgow Virgin Pendolino service derailed on 23 February.

The immediate cause of the accident was faulty 2B points.

They were in a deteriorated and unsafe state, the RAIB found.

Another report, to establish "the causal and contributory factors of the derailment" is expected to be published in the first half of 2008.

Three Network Rail employees have been arrested in connection with the crash and released on police bail pending further inquiries.