War against track vandals being won

Safety experts want to avert another disaster like Southall

Moves to improve safety and cut vandalism on the north Wales coast railway line are paying dividends, according to police chiefs.

Chief Superintendent Martyn Ripley of British Transport Police said a crackdown on the vandalism hotspot of Rhyl during the Easter holidays had been successful.

The town accounts for a third of the incidents that take place along the north Wales coast.

Ch Supt Ripley: Crackdown on vandals

Meanwhile, a safety meeting of the north Wales rail users group is taking place in Llandudno to discuss various ways improving track safety.

Special guest speaker Dr John Cartledge, who represented passengers' interests at the inquiries into the Ladbroke Grove and Southall train disasters, will discuss new methods for protecting passengers and trains.

Across north Wales, Railtrack and British Transport Police are currently working on a range of ideas to limit access to the track and prevent future incidents, said Ch Supt Ripley.

There are always concerns that there might be a serious accident

Andrew Goodwin, North Wales Rail Users Association

"There are approximately 11 incidents taking place each month, with three of those occurring in Rhyl," he explained. "One offence is too many.

"These range from trespass, which can have serious repercussions, to the most serious offence of stone throwing.

"What we have done in Rhyl is have a sergeant and three officers dedicated to the area.

"Now we are seeing a decline in incidents and the trend is going down, which has been no mean feat when you consider the problems associated with the Easter holidays.

Social problems

He added: "We are now working with Railtrack to show them the best places for fencing programmes and debris along the lines is being cleared up, which is having an effect."

Officers also look into abuse of rural rail crossings by motorists and damage caused to signalling and rail equipment.

British Transport Police has begun working with community group Thrive to help tackle problems in the north Wales resort.

Prevent accidents

Andrew Goodwin, of the Chester and North Wales Rail Users Association, which is hosting Saturday's safety seminar, said the problems associated with Rhyl were a concern.

"There are always concerns that there might be a serious accident that could have been avoided if people had not thrown things onto the line. Fortunately, to date that has not happened."

Ahead of the seminar, Dr Cartledge said his talk would include details of the roll out of Advance Warning Systems (AWS) for trains, in the wake of the Ladbroke Grove and Southall disasters.

"Improving safety will mitigate against the possibility of another disaster happening," he said.

The Great Western intercity train which crashed at Southall in 1997 had been travelling from Swansea to Paddington, which killed seven people and injured 150.