CLASS 800/802 DAWLISH SEA WALL

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular NP/310/24

23^rd December 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

CLASS 800/802 DAWLISH SEA WALL

 

Your Exeter Rail branch submitted the following resolution:

 

Exeter Rail Branch have serious concerns that the failure of class 800 and 802 trains during inclement weather and tidal events could lead to death or serious injury should a passenger choose to self-evacuate. The risks from a controlled evacuation, should this be required, are also not tolerable especially considering such an event is entirely foreseeable.

 

Bad weather on the 29^th September caused two class 800/802 trains to be stranded between Dawlish and Teignmouth after being hit by waves which immobilised them. One of them was trapped in a tunnel and it took over 4 hours to rescue it. This has happened before nine months ago and several times before that, but it appears that no lessons have been learnt.

 

We therefore ask the NEC to demand that GWR cease operating class 800 and 802 (IET) trains (whether in passenger service or empty coaching stock) between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot stations during inclement weather and a safe and robust plan is put in place.

 

At its meeting on 12^th December 2024 your NEC noted and adopted the following report from its health and safety subcommittee:

 

We note the resolution form Exeter Rail branch, for which it is thanked.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to direct the lead officer to take up this issue with the company as a matter of urgency in order to ensure that a robust plan is put in place.

 

Relevant branches and regional councils to be informed.

 

I am acting in line with these instructions. 

            

Please bring this circular to the attention of relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary