B331 Network Rail Safety Bulletin NRB24-07

Near miss between Road Rail Vehicle and Rail Delivery Train Operative

Issued to: All Network Rail line managers, safety professionals and accredited contractors
Ref: NRB24-07
Date of issue: 26/06/2024
Location: Raynes Park, Wessex Route
Contact: Glen Lyon, Business Support Manager (Rail & S&C), SCO, Route Services

Overview

At 02:45 on 29/05/2024, a Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) transited through a possession on an adjacent line to a rail delivery train (RDT) being set up to. An RDT operative had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by the RRV.
At the time, it was reported that:
• Works in a neighbouring worksite, involving the RRV, had been curtailed.
• The RRV movement took place without prior notification to the RDT team.
• No warning by the RRV operator.
• No Machine Controller accompanying the movement, they followed several minutes later.
• The RRV allegedly travelled at a greater than 5mph.

This event is currently under investigation by Wessex Route.
NR Standard NR/L2/SCO/315 “Controls for the management of long welded rail delivery and recovery” prohibits the operation or stabling of any rail mounted vehicle on the line the rail delivery train is operating or any adjacent line(s) within 4 metres. This requirement has been in place since two RDT operatives were struck and killed by an RRV at Hednesford in 2004.