Independent inquiry into level crossing accident
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THE Minister of Transport has appointed Mr. E. Brian Gibbers, QC, to hold a formal investigation into the accident at kfixon level -crossing, Staffordshire, on January 6, when an express train collided with a road transporter carrying a transformer. The investigation will cover the circumstances of the accident and will also consider the general safety of the system of automatic half-barriers at level crossings.
A preliminary hearing is expected to be held on January 29.
This is the first independent formal investigation into a railway accident since 1879. The MoT states this action has been ordered because: "others besides railway employees were closely involved in the circumstances of the accident"; and it is desirable to have an independent review" of the use of the half-barriers in British conditions. The barriers are widely used at level crossings on the Continent and in America, states the Ministry.
The transporter operator Robert Wynn and Sons Ltd., of Newport, Monmouthshire, has issued a statement through its solicitors emphasizing that the company's preliminary investiga-. tion had confirmed the following:—
"The transporter had not stopped on the crossing at any time. On the contrary, having followed the Police car on to the crossing the tractor crews remained at their posts and did their utmost by accelerating to get the transporter clear immediately the danger became apparent. Furthermore, at no time did any part of the vehicle or its load come into contact with the overhead wires.
"Movements of this kind are undertaken under the authority of a special order issued by the Ministry of Transport which specifies the route and requires the haulier to give notice to the Police, with whose directions the haulier is bound to comply.
"0.uestions will now arise as to the adequacy of the type and position of the British Railways notice requiring the signalman to be telephoned in special circumstances, of the telephone itself, arid of the safety margin and precautions relative to this new type of crossing which are already the subject of public comment.
"These are clearly matters with which the inquiry will be much concerned and towards their consideration Wynn's are ready to make their full contribution."