Rail remains safe

I agree with Nigel Harris’ analysis of the Carmont rail derailment (Comment, RAIL 953).

I also noted some familiar voices raising the question of safety of rail in Scotland and the rest of the UK. They had nothing to say about the fact that before Carmont, no passenger had been killed on the railway for 13 years, although Wolmar mentions it in his column.

There was also no mention from our friends that on average 1,600 people are killed on the roads every year. Perhaps they might wish to multiply 1,600 by 13 and that might help them to understand reality.

Yes, safety is a subject that can be used especially to preserve jobs that have little or no relevance in this day and age.

Irving Nicol, Milton Keynes