A Northern Echo investigation has discovered that virtually nothing has been done to prevent a repeat of the Selby rail disaster.

It found that more than ten months after the Selby rail crash, railway bridges in the region are still in a scandalous state.

There were widespread demands for immediate improvements to roadside barriers after the February crash, which claimed ten lives – but experts still fear a similar disaster, where a Land Rover careered onto the railway line near a road bridge, could happen at any time.

The Echo launched a campaign to fight for improvements but revealed that local authorities has taken only the most limited action.

Part of the problem lies in disputes over who should foot the bill.

The paper has backed up its point with an article quoting a leading expert who claimed the Government was just as responsible for the Selby crash as driver Gary Hart, who on Friday was sentenced to five years for causing death by dangerous driving.

In the three years leading up to the Selby crash, there were 31 incidents involving motorists losing control of their vehicles, landing on railways and obstructing lines- and in ten cases, the vehicles were hit by trains.

The “perilous” state of bridges along the East Coast Main Line in theNorth-East and North Yorkshire was first highlighted by The Northern Echo inMay.

The paper visited 50 bridges between Newcastle and York and found the approaches to the majority had woefully inadequate protection.

By the end of last year, North Yorkshire County Council has so far carried out no repairs to any of the bridges the paper found to be in disrepair.

The paper found all 33 bridges across the East Coast Main Line in the county are in need of some kind of repair.

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]