HC Deb 30 March 1965 vol 709 cc1396-8
Mr. Lagden (by Private Notice)

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement with regard to the accident which occurred last night near Elm Park Station.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Stephen Swingler)

At about 7.30 yesterday evening the eight-coach electric multiple-unit train leaving Fenchurch Street at 7.10 for Shoeburyness was seriously derailed near Elm Park, a halt between Barking and Upminster.

I regret to say that two persons, including the driver of the train, were killed. I would like to express my sympathy and the sympathy of the House to their relatives.

Fifteen persons are detained in hospital with injuries, some of them serious; I wish them a speedy recovery.

Both the main lines were blocked and the adjacent London Transport District Line was also completely blocked. About half a mile of overhead electrification equipment on the main line was destroyed.

The British Railways Board states that it expects to clear the London Transport tracks this afternoon and that it hopes to restore normal services on the main line for tomorrow morning's peak traffic. In the meantime, trains for Southend and Shoeburyness, are being routed via Tilbury, and trains serving the section Upminster to Pitsea are being routed via Romford. Buses are being run between Barking and Upminster.

It is not yet possible to give the cause of this accident. The Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways visited the site last night and he will hold a formal inquiry, probably next week.

Mr. Lagden

Will the Minister see that special regard is given during the inquiry to the suggestions and reports, made over a long period, of hooliganism on this portion of the line, which has given rise to mention in the Press today, and to the title of, "hooligan mile"? Is he aware that this should receive some consideration in the inquiry?

Mr. Swingler

I have, of course, seen these reports, but the hon. Gentleman would not expect me to say anything now about them, because, as he will appreciate, the whole matter is sub judice. Our inspecting officers and our Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways will hold an inquiry. It is also a matter of police investigation. All the matters which have been reported to the police about this area in the past will be taken into account at the inquiry.

Mr. Channon

Is the Minister aware that I should like to join with him in his expressions of sympathy to the relatives of those people who were killed and who were seriously injured, most of them, alas, being my constituents?

Would not the Minister agree that this is a very serious affair, since this is almost the busiest railway line in the country if not in the world? Would he, therefore, while the inquiry is still sitting and before it reports, take the most urgent steps, with British Rail and the police, to make sure that there is adequate protection for these trains, which travel very fast, as they have to do, to keep to schedule?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that everyone in the House would wish to avoid a repetition of this kind of disastrous accident?

Mr. Swingler

Yes, this is a very serious matter. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that a thorough investigation will be made and constant surveillance will be kept on the line.

Mr. Braine

Is the Minister aware that something more than this is needed? While I fully agree that we must await the outcome of the inquiry, is he aware that there have long been incidents on this line? Is he aware that in January a train was almost derailed and was then pelted with stones by hooligans; that railwaymen have reported incidents to the police and that subsequently no action has been taken? Will not the Minister ensure, quite separately from any inquiry, that there is adequate surveillance of this relatively short length of line so as to prevent the repetition of occurrences which have been taking place repeatedly over many months?

Mr. Swingler

We know that incidents have been taking place and I am sorry that it has not been possible to bring those responsible to book. A very thorough investigation will take place as a result of this tragedy and, at the same time, as I said, constant surveillance will be kept on the situation.

Sir S. McAdden

As the only member of Parliament who is a daily traveller on this line, and who knows something of the problem, may I ask the Minister to bear in mind—while associating myself with the expressions of sympathy to the passengers and the railway staff—that this is very much a family line? There is a great community of interest between the passengers and the permanent staff. No matter what may be said about the cause of the accident, which is still to be investigated, will he take it from me that the travelling public has the utmost confidence in the drivers?

Back to