High-speed train nearly hit wrongly parked van

A high-speed passenger train missed hitting a van mistakenly parked on the track by just 1-2ft (30-60cm), the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has said.

The near-miss between the train, travelling at 108mph (174km/h), and the stationary maintenance van occurred on the Midland Main Line near Millbrook, Bedfordshire, at 23:34 BST on 25 September.

An investigation report said the site warden, who was in the van, "did not see or hear the passing train".

Network Rail said it had issued a safety alert to staff and continued to strengthen safety arrangements.

No-one was injured and no damage was caused, the RAIB said.

The site of the near miss, just north of the Ampthill tunnels, has four lines which carry trains southbound towards London and northbound towards Bedford and Leicester.

Before the track maintenance team, consisting of 10 people, loaded their tools on to the van at the depot, they were told they would be working on the slow lines, which were already blocked to trains.

However, the RAIB said: "Witness evidence is that the telephone conversation between the person in charge and site warden led to a misunderstanding by the latter as to the intent of the person in charge's instructions."

The report said the team ended up going on to the fast lines, which were still open to normal train services.

"The site warden [believed] they had authority to unload equipment on to the track, and this then led to them entering the railway without the presence of the person in charge, who was the designated controller of site safety," the RAIB added.

At the time of the near-miss the van was positioned across the "down" fast line, with its rear close to the "up" fast line on which the train was travelling.

The RAIB said the incident demonstrated the importance of:

• Staff only going on or near the line when accompanied by a controller of site safety, who has given them permission to do so

• Ensuring that a clear understanding has been reached when discussing safety-critical information

• Challenging unsafe working practices in accordance with recognised rail industry systems

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "Following this incident near Ampthill tunnels, we notified the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, fully co‑operated with its investigation and carried out our own review.

"We have issued a safety alert to staff and continue to strengthen safety arrangements, including reinforcing clear briefings at access points, making sure teams are in the correct location before going on track, and ensuring safety‑critical communication and vehicle planning are clearly understood."

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