Report into WCML speeding incidents

THE Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has conducted a preliminary examination into three overspeeding incidents at Stafford, Crewe and Warrington on February 21, 2020, when Blanket Emergency Speed

Restrictions (BESRs) were imposed during Storm Franklin. The incidents show examples of three different mechanisms that resulted in the intent of the BESRs not being met, and thus trains potentially travelling too fast for the prevailing conditions.

The RAIB has decided not to carry out any further investigation of the incidents, but has highlighted previous recommendations that seek an improvement to the BESR notices provided to drivers and a review of the methods used to implement blanket emergency speed restrictions. RAIB has written to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and sent copies of the letter to the train and freight operating companies and Network Rail, to alert ORR and the railway industry to the incidents and the circumstances surrounding them.