Driver reported tube train fault before crash - RMT

The RMT union said the train's driver had reported a fault about eight stations before Chancery Lane but had been told to continue with the journey.

The train was scheduled to be taken out of service at Holborn, one station after Chancery Lane.

Engineers were aware there was a problem with motors on the Central Lines and had been carrying out safety checks every five days on the Central Lines Rolling stock, a London Underground spokeswoman said.

A spokesman said the nine-year-old train had been safety checked just two days prior to the crash.

LU said that drivers were responsible for their trains and could refuse to continue a journey if they thought there was a safety or mechanical problem.

However, a RMT Union spokesman said London Underground was merely shifting the blame from themselves onto the drivers.

"The reality was it is very difficult for a driver to take a train out of service because they had safety fears."

A tube driver was currently facing disciplinary action for stopping a train for safety concerns, the RMT Union spokesman said.

The driver stopped the train after hearing a loud banging noise, and was instructed by management to take the train further, however, he refused, RMT Union spokesman said.

Drivers who defied management by shutting down tubes faced deductions from their pay or were threatened with disciplinary action, he said.

If they already had a mark against their name they even faced losing their jobs.

A LU spokeswoman said the RMT allegations were "untrue" and in any case it would be highly unlikely that a driver would be facing disciplinary action for refusing to stop a train for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, the RMT union spokesman said the crash raised other concerns for the union and tube drivers. If it was correct the train had undergone a safety check two days prior to the crash, then "what confidence can we have in taking trains out."

January 27, 2003 16:30