RAIB publication of
report into derailment at Long Millgate, in Manchester on 22 March 2006
DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (041) issued by The Government News Network
on 17 April 2007
This is press
notice is being issued on behalf of the Rail Accident
Investigation Branch
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its
report into the derailment at Long Millgate, Manchester on the
Metrolink system on 22 March 2006, which caused disruption to tram
services in Manchester.
The full report is available here: http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2007/report082007.cfm
A summary of the key points from the report is included below:
Summary
At 08:03 hrs on 22 March 2006, two axles of a tram travelling
from Bury to Altrincham became derailed as the tram entered the
street running section of the Metrolink network at Long Millgate,
near Victoria station. The derailed wheels remained close to the
track, and the tram stopped 44 metres from the point of
derailment. There were 200 passengers on board. There were no
injuries and no damage to the tram; there was minor damage to the track.
The immediate cause of the accident was the failure of a repaired
section of track at the transition between two types of rail. The
repair to the track had been undertaken without appropriate
controls design change process or quality control of the work
done, and there were contributing factors related to the design
and material of the track.
The RAIB have made four recommendations to the Greater Manchester
Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) covering the design,
maintenance and renewal of the track on the Metrolink system as a
result of its investigation. They concern:
1. The development and implementation of and appropriate standard
for grooved rail track, including tolerances and limits for wear
and gauge; and guidance to inspection staff on appropriate levels
and types of intervention.
2. The assessment of the risk of transitions between flat
bottomed and grooved rail on curves, and the repositioning of the
transitions onto straight track where this is warranted and it is
reasonably practicable to do so.
3. The introduction of system for initiating, planning and
implementing track renewals.
4. Review of infrastructure design change and quality control procedures.
Notes to Editors
1. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch started operation on
17th October 2005. The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to
prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety.
The RAIB does not establish blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.