NETWORK RAIL – AUDENSHAW DERAILMENT

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/089/25

27^th May 2025

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

NETWORK RAIL – AUDENSHAW DERAILMENT 

On 6^th September 2024, a freight train derailed at Sidmouth Street Bridge in Audenshaw, Manchester, due to track instability caused by deteriorated longitudinal bearers. The failures of fastenings, poor top and alignment, and the lack of corrective action on identified defects led to the derailment. Despite previous inspections and track data highlighting these issues, no timely intervention was made.

 

Your National Executive Committee (NEC)’s health and safety subcommittee was provided with a report by lead union health and safety representative Chris Knibb, noting that Network Rail knew of the problems, but did not carry out maintenance. The ORR Improvement notice appears to be adequate in this respect.

 

At its meeting on 22^nd May, your National Executive Committee resolved as follows:

 

That we note the report from Bro. Chris Knibb and thank him for it. 

 

We further note the detailed report confirmed that Network Rail failed to act on known defects despite multiple inspections and available track data.

 

Accordingly, we instruct the General Secretary to: 

 

I. Raise this matter at the next available meeting of the Network Rail Safety Council. 

2. Write to Network Rail formally requesting the reinstatement of a dedicated Longitudinal Timber Team with relevant expertise and training. 

3. Continue to monitor ORR enforcement action and request that a copy of the final report and any remedial action plans be made available. 

 

Relevant members, Branches, and Regional Councils are to be informed of this decision via email and text.

            

            I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Eddie Dempsey

General Secretary