Network Rail has insisted that British trains are “among the safest in the world” after a second derailment in 24 hours.
The transport body’s statement was echoed by both the Department for Transport and ex-transport minister and ex-Lewes MP Norman Baker as RAIB has deployed yet another investigation team to the scene where a Greater Anglia train has derailed near Wickford in Essex.
Pictures on social media show a train that appears to have come off the tracks into the gravel but has remained upright.
There are currently no reported injuries, the British Transport Police has said.
It comes less than 24 hours after another train derailed in East Sussex, with one passenger saying she thought she “was going to die”.
Martin Frobisher, Network Rail executive, discouraged the public from speculating around the causes as internal investigations look at all possible causes and factors, but he added that the unprecedented heatwave conditions had presented challenges to the railway.
“The unprecedented hot and dry weather that we have experienced this summer has presented exceptional challenges to the railway.”
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Investigations into derailments looking at 'all possible causes and factors'
Investigations into two train derailments in two days “will look at all possible causes and factors”, Network Rail executive Martin Frobisher has said.
"The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is conducting an investigation into the derailment at Lewes, and has investigators on scene at the Wickford incident. We would ask people to avoid speculating on the cause of any incidents until further information is available. We will also conduct our own internal investigations, in which we will look at all possible causes and factors.”
He went on that the hot weather had “presented exceptional challenges to the railway”.
“The unprecedented hot and dry weather that we have experienced this summer has presented exceptional challenges to the railway.
“In response, we have taken several additional proactive steps to manage and mitigate the impact on the railway, including closely monitoring the temperature of tracks, implementing speed restrictions where it is appropriate to do so, and planning track renewals around high temperatures.
“Our continued focus remains on supporting those affected by these incidents, working at pace to understand the causes, and doing all we can to get services back running safely as quickly as possible.”
Network Rail reassures that British railway services are among the safest in the world
Martin Frobisher, group safety and engineering director at Network Rail, has joined a number of voices insisting that British rails remain among the safest in the world after two derailment issues in 24 hours.
He said: “We are currently responding to a derailment incident near Wickford station in Essex, and we are working quickly to understand the situation and to provide assistance where needed. Two carriages have derailed but remained fully upright, and there are no significant injuries reported.
“I appreciate the public will be concerned at the news of two derailments of passenger trains over a short period of time, but I want to reassure them that Britain’s railways still rank among the safest in the world, and that safety is always our first consideration on the railway.
“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by yesterday's significant incident at Lewes. I want to thank the teams from across the rail industry and emergency services who have been working around the clock to provide assistance and support to those who need it, as well as the response from the local community.”
Railways are still safe, ex transport minister says
Former transport minister and ex-Lewes MP Norman Baker has said there's no need for people to panic over safety on the railway.
“ I suspect there may be a climate-related incident here, either in terms of the ground beneath the rails giving way or alternatively the rails buckling during extreme heat,” he said according to the BBC.
"Stick to the railways," he said. “I was on the train today between Lewes and Seaford and perfectly happy to do so.”
The Greater Anglia routes disrupted:
Three of nine Greater Anglia routes have been disrupted after a train derailment near Wickford in Essex.
These routes are:
- London to Southend Victoria
- London to Southminster
- London to Braintree
In pictures: Emergency services arrive at scene of Greater Anglia train derailment
Department for Transport says railways are safe
The Department for Transport has said the UK’s railways remain the safest in the world after two derailments in less than 24 hours.
A spokesperson for the department said: “We are aware of a derailment involving a Greater Anglia train near Wickford, Essex.
“The train is upright, there are no reported injuries and investigators have already been deployed to the site.
“Our railways remain amongst the safest in the world and while incidents like this are extremely rare, when they do occur, they are taken very seriously.”
Aerial pictures show derailed Greater Anglia train
Rear carriages were derailed on Greater Anglia train
Rail inspectors attend the scene
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch confirmed it has sent a team of inspectors to the site of today's incident.
It is standard for RAIB officers to attend the scene of a crash or a derailment in the immediate aftermath to begin an investigation.
Basildon council thanks emergency services
Councillor Andy Barnes, Leader of Basildon Council, said:"I would like to thank all of the emergency services who are currently responding to this incident.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we sincerely hope that all those involved are safe and well.
“Basildon Council will continue to support our emergency service partners in any way we can as they carry out their response."
