Andrew Dismore

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore  AM is demanding an urgent investigation into the near miss on the Northern Line on Monday evening. The incident involved two trains which reportedly narrowly averted a head-on collision between Mill Hill East and Finchley Central.

The RMT Union have released a statement saying that it was the quick actions of a driver who averted the collision after a signalling error. ( see below)

Andrew Dismore AM said:

“We must have an urgent investigation, with the results published, into how such a serious breach of safety could ever happen on the Underground. It looks like only the quick actions of the train driver averted disaster and he should be commended for his response. TfL must conduct an immediate investigation to make sure the line is safe, and we need a thorough investigation by the independent Rail Accident Investigation Branch to identify any longer term problems.

“The Mayor and Transport for London need to come clean about how this could possibly happen and what steps they will take in the future. With a 12.5% cut to TfL’s budget from the government coming soon, we need to know that the Tube can be operated safely and not put passengers in harm’s way.”

 

 

Notes

1.         Andrew Dismore is the Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden.

2.         The RMT statement reads:

“…a train out of Finchley Central was given a target speed to proceed out of the station and after approximately 2 train lengths was asked to apply an emergency brake.

Upon doing this the train operator became aware of a train approaching from Mill Hill which is a single track line. The driver was forced to take emergency action and to reverse and move back to Finchley Central, avoiding a potential head on collision with the train heading south on the same section of track. Both trains were in service and carrying passengers and it was only due to the swift action of the driver that a potentially fatal head on collision was avoided.”