Clapham Junction Inquiry

Completed

Hidden Inquiry

Chair Anthony Hidden QC Judge / Judiciary
Established 13 Dec 1988
Final Report 27 Sep 1989
Commissioned by Department for Transport Originally commissioned by Secretary of State for Transport

Investigation into the Clapham Junction railway accident of 12 December 1988 in which three trains collided killing 35 people and injuring over 400.

Historical inquiry (pre-Inquiries Act 2005). Listed for reference — recommendation progress is not actively tracked.
Legacy & Impact
The Hidden Inquiry examined the Clapham Junction rail crash of 12 December 1988, which resulted in 35 deaths and over 400 injuries. The inquiry, chaired by Anthony Hidden QC, published its report on 27 September 1989, making 93 recommendations focused on railway safety management and working practices.

The report identified that the crash resulted from a signal wiring error by a technician working excessive hours without adequate supervision or testing procedures. The inquiry's findings addressed fundamental issues in railway maintenance practices, including working hours, supervision structures, testing independence, and staff training.

The inquiry's recommendations contributed to the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994, which introduced a requirement for railway operators to produce safety cases demonstrating their risk management approaches. The report's emphasis on working hour limits for safety-critical staff and independent testing procedures became embedded in railway safety practice. Requirements for regular refresher training at five-year intervals and structured overtime monitoring were established following the inquiry's recommendations.

The Hidden Report forms part of a sequence of railway safety inquiries including the later Southall and Ladbroke Grove inquiries. Together, these inquiries shaped the evolution of railway safety regulation in Britain, contributing to the development of the safety case regime and influencing the structure of railway safety oversight. The inquiry's focus on human factors in safety-critical work, particularly fatigue and supervision, established principles that extended beyond the railway industry.
Lasting Reforms
• Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994 requiring railway operators to produce safety cases demonstrating risk management approaches
• Working hour limits for safety-critical railway staff introduced following recommendation 18
• Independent testing and commissioning engineer role separated from line management structure (recommendation 11)
• Mandatory wire management procedures for redundant wiring in signalling systems (recommendation 1)
• Regular refresher training requirements for signal installers at maximum five-year intervals (recommendation 15)
• Structured overtime monitoring systems within railway maintenance departments (recommendation 18)
• Personal distribution systems for Departmental Instructions to relevant railway employees (recommendation 12)
AI-generated narrative. Generated 26 Mar 2026 using claude-opus-4. Assessment is indicative, not authoritative.
Key Legislation
Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994
Required railway operators to produce safety cases demonstrating adequate risk management.
Influence & Connections
Led directly to Ladbroke Grove Inquiry
The Clapham Junction crash led to the Hidden Inquiry's recommendation for automatic train protection. The failure to implement ATP fully contributed to the Ladbroke Grove collision 10 years later.
Influenced by Fennell Inquiry
The King's Cross fire inquiry and the Clapham Junction rail crash inquiry both addressed fundamental failures in safety management within public transport, contributing to a broader reform of safety culture.
9 months Duration
57 Hearing Days
93 Core Participants
This is a historical inquiry. Per-recommendation tracking is not available. See the Legacy & Impact section above.

Total Recommendations 93
Data verified: 27 Feb 2026 (Claude)
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Title Volume Publication Date Tracked recs Links
Hidden Inquiry — Final Report - 27 Sep 1989 93

Recommendations (93)

HIDD-1
BR to rigorously implement cutting, insulating, securing redundant wires before commissioning
Recommendation
BR shall ensure that there is rigorous implementation of the practice of cutting back redundant wires, insulating, and securing them, so that there is no risk of wires coming into contact with working circuitry. Cutting back must be done before … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-2
Establish national responsibility for updating and creating new installation standards
Recommendation

BR at national level shall be responsible for updating and creating new standards of installation.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-3
Enforce tighter control on Design Office procedures for accurate working drawings
Recommendation
BR shall enforce tighter control on Design Office procedures for the production, issue and amendment of documents to ensure that all working drawings are complete and are an accurate representation of the system to be worked on and of the … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-4
Urgently ensure and document independent wire counts during testing procedures
Recommendation
BR shall urgently ensure that an independent wire count is carried out as a matter of practice during testing. It shall be the responsibility of the person in overall charge of testing to ensure and to document that an independent … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-5
Identify single individual responsible for overall charge of all testing
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that one individual is always identified as the person in overall charge of testing.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-6
Ensure a comprehensive testing plan is drawn up for every commissioning
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that a testing plan is drawn up for every commissioning.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-7
Require BR to include sufficient, qualified staff in all testing plans
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff are included in the testing plan.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-8
Require BR to provide and monitor full documentation for proper testing
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that full documentation is provided and later monitored in order that proper testing is carried out.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-9
Introduce national testing instruction with workforce explanation, monitoring, and auditing
Recommendation

BR shall introduce a national testing instruction with all speed. Such introduction shall be accompanied by a full explanation to the workforce, including workshops or seminars as necessary. Implementation must be monitored and audited.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-10
BR to audit resources and authority for national signal testing instruction implementation
Recommendation

BR shall ensure through its system of audit that the necessary resources and authority are available to Regional Signal Engineers to implement the national testing instruction.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-11
Ensure independence of testing and commissioning engineers from new works staff
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that the Testing & Commissioning Engineer must be independent of the line of command between Area Signalling Engineer and new works staff, but able to call on new works staff to assist him in his testing duties.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-12
Establish effective systems for personal distribution of departmental instructions to all employees
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that there are effective systems for distributing Departmental Instructions on a personal basis to all relevant employees and that provision is made for the situation where an employee moves to a new post.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-13
Require staff to understand, re-read, and biennially confirm understanding of instructions
Recommendation
BR shall ensure, as a matter of practice, that all staff understand and regularly re-read the Departmental Instructions relevant to their posts. In addition, every two years, those staff involved in an annual appraisal interview, shall sign a statement to … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-14
Provide necessary technical training for all staff to ensure safe practices
Recommendation

BR shall give technical training as necessary to ensure that efficient and safe practices are carried out by all technical staff.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-15
Provide mandatory refresher courses for installers at least every five years
Recommendation

BR shall provide refresher courses for installers at intervals of not more than five years.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-16
Urgently progress and monitor training, certification, and refresher courses for testers
Recommendation

BR shall urgently progress and monitor training and certification of testers. Refresher courses shall be evolved.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-17
Regularly review the structure and content of all training courses
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that the structure and content of courses are regularly reviewed.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-18
Monitor staff overtime to prevent individuals working excessive levels
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that overtime is monitored so that no individual is working excessive levels of overtime.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-19
Introduce scheduled hours for Signals and Telecommunications weekend work with unions
Recommendation

BR, in conjunction with the Unions, shall introduce the concept of scheduled hours within the Signals and Telecommunications Department in order to make better provision for work which has to be carried out at weekends.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-20
Monitor and forecast skilled S&T staff to ensure safe recruitment and retention
Recommendation

BR shall monitor and forecast wastage and recruitment of skilled S&T staff and take urgent steps to ensure that sufficient numbers of skilled staff are retained and recruited to match work requirements safely.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-21
Consider recruiting staff at assistant technician level and above
Recommendation

BR, in reviewing recruitment and retention levels, shall also consider recruiting staff at levels at and above assistant technician.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-22
Provide clear job descriptions for all staff grades and posts
Recommendation

BR shall provide all grades with job descriptions for their particular post so that staff know what is expected of them

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-23
Extend simplified annual appraisal system to include senior technician level
Recommendation

The annual appraisal system, albeit in a simplified form, shall be extended to senior technician level.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-24
Establish continuous system to identify employees who would benefit from additional training
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that there is an effective system in place on a continuous basis to identify which employees would benefit from additional training.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-25
Introduce system for reporting, classifying, and monitoring all WSFs to Board level
Recommendation

BR shall introduce, within S&T Departments, a system of reporting and reviewing all WSFs and shall ensure that they are classified according to potential for danger, and that they are monitored up to and including Board level.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-26
Thoroughly investigate unprotected WSFs with danger potential to learn wider lessons
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that any unprotected WSF with potential for danger shall be thoroughly investigated with a view to learning and acting upon wider lessons.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-27
Report unprotected WSFs as "dangerous occurrences" to the Railway Inspectorate
Recommendation

Unprotected WSFs shall be reportable to the Railway Inspectorate as a "dangerous occurrence" and reported on by the Chief Inspecting Officer in his annual report.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-28
Government to seek legislative effect for recommendation 27
Recommendation

Government shall seek to give legislative effect to recommendation 27.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-29
Appoint a single Project Manager for all major schemes
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that there is a single Project Manager for all major schemes, who shall be responsible for the overall planning, management and execution of the scheme.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-30
Ensure Project Managers have sufficient authority for safe scheme delivery
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that the Project Manager is of sufficient seniority and has sufficient authority to ensure that the scheme is delivered safely, efficiently and economically.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-31
Require external work to be contractual, specified by Project Manager
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that where work is required from areas outside the command of the person in overall charge, that work should be carried out on a contractual basis to a specification provided by the Project Manager.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-32
Establish direct reporting line for Testing Engineer to overall scheme charge
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that the Testing Engineer shall be ultimately responsible to the person in overall charge of the scheme, but not through the Project Manager.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-33
Provide necessary training resources for wider management down to supervisor level
Recommendation

BR shall make available necessary training resources for wider management training down to supervisor level.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-34
Require future reorganisations to be properly planned, resourced, and timely implemented
Recommendation

BR shall require that any future reorganisation shall be properly planned, effectively resourced and implemented to an agreed timetable which takes account of all relevant problems.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-35
Implement improved procedures to prevent unallocated staff during reorganisations
Recommendation

BR shall implement improved procedures to replace the cumbersome arrangements on reorganisations which allow staff to be displaced and to remain unallocated.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-36
Continue implementing Total Quality Management Initiative and BS5750 quality systems
Recommendation

BR shall continue to press ahead with its Total Quality Management Initiative and the application of British Standard BS5750: Quality systems.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-37
Urgently implement the Board's existing quality plan within S&T Departments
Recommendation

S&T Departments shall implement the Board's existing quality plan with the greatest urgency.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-38
Urgently use outside consultants to review safety management and communication issues
Recommendation
The Court endorses the use of outside consultants to review safety management issues within BR and recommends that the consultants proceed with their programme with the greatest urgency looking particularly at problems of communication up and down the organisation. Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-39
Urgently introduce independent monitoring and auditing for all safety-related work
Recommendation

BR shall introduce monitoring and independent auditing systems in all safety-related aspects of work, in particular the S&T Departments, with the greatest urgency, in advance of Total Quality Management as an aid to good management.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-40
Prioritise introduction of on-train data recorders for incident investigation assistance
Recommendation

BR shall give a higher priority to the introduction of on-train data recorders to assist investigation of any future incident.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-41
Utilise on-train data recorder information for systematic safety monitoring procedures
Recommendation

BR shall consider the use of information from on-train data recorders as part of a systematic safety monitoring procedure.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-42
Report 6-monthly to Railway Inspectorate on accident follow-up and recommendations
Recommendation

BR shall report at 6 monthly intervals to the Railway Inspectorate on its follow-up to the Clapham Junction accident and implementation of its own and this Report's recommendations.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-43
Prioritise installation of driver-signalman radio communication on all traction units
Recommendation
BR shall implement as a priority its programme to install a system of radio communication between driver and signalman on all traction units. The introduction of this system shall be in addition to signal-post telephones and not automatically entail their … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-44
Install voice recorders to provide a record of all radio messages
Recommendation

BR shall instal voice recorders for the purpose of providing a record of all radio messages relayed.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-45
Government allocate sufficient radio frequencies for important safety communication functions
Recommendation

Government, in discussion with BR, shall allocate a sufficient number of frequencies for this important safety function

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-46
Fully implement Automatic Train Protection within five years, prioritising busy lines
Recommendation
The Court welcomes BR's commitment to introduce Automatic Train Protection on a large percentage of its network, but is concerned at the timetable proposed. After the specific type of ATP system has been selected, ATP shall be fully implemented within … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-47
Report 6-monthly to Railway Inspectorate on Automatic Train Protection implementation progress
Recommendation

BR shall report at 6 monthly intervals to the Railway Inspectorate on its progress in implementing ATP.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-48
Study appraisal procedures for safety elements in railway investment proposals
Recommendation

The Department of Transport and BRB shall make a thorough study of appraisal procedure for safety elements of investment proposals so that the cost-effectiveness of safe operation of the railway occupies its proper place in a business-led operation.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-49
Develop system for allocating project priority to prevent safety compromise
Recommendation

BR shall develop an adequate system of allocating priority to projects to ensure that safety standards are not compromised by delay.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-50
Establish organisational framework to prevent commercial considerations compromising railway safety
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that the organisational framework exists to prevent commercial considerations of a business-led railway from compromising safety.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-51
Emphasise signalling irregularity definitions and reportable situations during driver training
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that during driver training the definition of a signalling irregularity and situations which are reportable are given greater emphasis.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-52
Provide appropriate feedback to drivers reporting signalling irregularities on outcomes
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that drivers, reporting on signalling irregularities, are given appropriate feedback on the outcome.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-53
Eliminate re-use of insulation tape and ensure secure insulation methods
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that the practice of the re-use of insulation tape is eliminated and the method of insulation is secure.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-54
Complete research programme into structural integrity of rolling stock by April 1991
Recommendation

BR shall carry out its stated programme of research into the structural integrity of its rolling stock within its planned timescale of completion by April 1991.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-55
Discuss research conclusions with Inspectorate to agree structural changes for rolling stock
Recommendation

On completion of the programme BR shall discuss its conclusions with the Railway Inspectorate and obtain their agreement to the structural changes necessary to strengthen all relevant rolling stock with a subsequent life span of eight years and over.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-56
Extend research to include dynamic testing for improved passenger furniture design
Recommendation

BR shall extend its programme of research to include dynamic testing or full-scale simulations of collision retardations in order to improve the design of internal furniture under conditions of passenger impact.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-57
Seek economic dynamic modelling methods for coach collision resistance research
Recommendation

BR shall, as an alternative to full-scale testing, seek economic and practical methods of dynamic modelling during development stages when researching the structural resistance of coaches to collision conditions.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-58
Expand involvement in European studies on passenger stock performance and collision resistance
Recommendation

BR shall continue and expand its involvement in collaborative European railway studies of performance of passenger stock, including collision resistance.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-59
Amend Road and Rail Traffic Act 1933 to include rolling stock approval
Recommendation

Government shall seek to amend S.41 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act 1933 to clarify what work has to be approved by the Secretary of State after inspection, if necessary, and to include rolling stock within the terms of the statute.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-60
Achieve and regularly review overall train loading criteria with Department of Transport
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that overall train loading criteria are achieved. The Department of Transport and BR shall keep the criteria under review.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-61
Improve inter-service communication for major incident declarations via dedicated lines
Recommendation
The Emergency Services shall improve communication between them to ensure, in particular, that the declaration of a Major Incident by any service is immediately passed by a dedicated phone line to all other services and acted on by them . … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-62
Conduct regular major incident exercises to test emergency communication systems
Recommendation

Emergency services shall carry out exercises simulating a Major Incident on a regular basis to test specifically their communication systems in the light of the shortcomings identified in Chapter 5.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-63
Review ambulance procedures to provide early major incident warnings to hospitals
Recommendation

Ambulance services shall review procedures to ensure that the designated and supporting hospitals are given a major incident warning as early as possible.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-64
Ensure emergency alert lines receive incoming calls only and are tested weekly
Recommendation

Hospitals shall ensure that emergency alert telephone lines receive incoming calls only and are tested weekly. Switchboard operators shall be fully trained in their use and procedure.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-65
Implement training for Medical Incident Officers in radio communications usage
Recommendation

The LAS shall implement its proposal to train prospective Medical Incident Officers in the use of radio communications.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-66
Require hospitals to provide Medical Incident Officer training for relevant staff
Recommendation

Hospitals shall provide training in the duties of Medical Incident Officer for staff who could be called upon to act as such in the event of an accident.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-67
Require emergency services to provide local radio communication at accident sites
Recommendation

Emergency services shall provide local radio communication at the accident site to facilitate liaison between the control units and experts on site.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-68
Require Ambulance Service to provide hospital aerials for emergency radio communication
Recommendation

The Ambulance Service shall provide aerials at all designated hospitals for radio telephone communication in an emergency. The transmittedreceiver should be provided on declaration of a Major Incident.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-69
Require all emergency services to provide and ensure personnel wear protective clothing
Recommendation

All emergency services shall ensure that personnel are provided with and wear protective clothing, including protective headgear.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-70
Require services to provide coloured high-visibility vests for personnel identification
Recommendation

All emergency services, hospitals, BR and local authorities shall provide their personnel with coloured high visibility vests with the name of the service printed on it. Each service shall be easily identified by the colour of its emergency clothing.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-71
Require ambulance staff qualified in intubation to wear 'Millar trained' badges
Recommendation

Ambulance services shall require staff properly qualified in intubation and infusion to wear "Millar trained" badges prominently displayed, including on protective clothing.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-72
Require police casualty bureaux to be equipped with telephone queuing systems
Recommendation

Police forces shall arrange that all casualty bureaux be equipped with a telephone queuing system with a recorded message.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-73
ACPO to establish system for extending simultaneous casualty bureau call handling
Recommendation

The Association of Chief Police Officers shall continue their efforts to establish an effective system for extending the number of calls which can be dealt with simultaneously by a casualty bureau.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-74
Require emergency services to recognise Civil Police primacy in non-fire accidents
Recommendation

The emergency services shall recognise the primacy of the Civil Police authority in accidents of this kind where there is no fire. This recognition does not preclude delegation to the LFB of control at trackside.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-75
Require police forces to adopt Metropolitan Police arrangements for bereaved relatives
Recommendation

Police Forces shall study and follow the excellent arrangements made by the Metropolitan Police for the bereaved and relatives of the seriously injured.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-76
Require BR and emergency services to maintain joint planning with table-top exercises
Recommendation

In the exercise of command and control at accident sites BR and the emergency services shall maintain their policy of joint planning supported by table-top exercises.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-77
Require medical personnel to report to ambulance forward control unit on site
Recommendation

The ambulance service and designated hospitals shall require that all medical personnel report to the forward control unit of the ambulance service on site.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-78
Require each service to maintain up-to-date staff lists within inner cordon
Recommendation

Each service shall additionally maintain on site an up-to-date list of staff within the inner cordon in case evacuation is necessary.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-79
Department of Health to review Circular 71, clarifying Major Incident declaration terms
Recommendation
The Department of Health shall review DHSS Circular 71 in consultation with emergency and medical services to reflect all lessons learned but in particular in relation to procedures for declaring a Major Incident. The Department of Health shall specifically require … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-80
Department of Health to review BASICS' role and funding in emergency planning
Recommendation

In revising the Circular the Department of Health shall consider the role of BASICS in emergency planning and review BASICS' funding arrangements.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-81
BR to equip signal boxes with direct lines and emergency dialling systems
Recommendation
BR shall complete its programme of equipping major signal boxes with direct lines to the appropriate electrical control and equipping other signal boxes with priority emergency dialling systems. Those direct lines and emergency dialling systems shall be logged and tested … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-82
BR to review and test communication systems with emergency services weekly
Recommendation
BR shall review its communication systems with the emergency services to ensure that efficient methods exist to provide and disseminate early information requiring immediate action. In the course of the review BR shall look particularly at communication between signal boxes … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-83
BR to ensure proper training and clear instructions for new communication systems
Recommendation
BR shall ensure that those likely to use such systems in recommendations 81 and 82 above shall be properly trained in their use. Instructions in the use of these systems must be clearly drafted, prominently displayed and regularly checked for … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-84
Rectify high-priority deficiencies in railway communication systems and signal-post telephones
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that efficient arrangements exist to rectify as a matter of high priority any deficiencies in the communication systems involved in recommendations 81 and 82 and in signal-post telephones.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-85
Install public address systems in all new and older trains for passenger communication
Recommendation

BR shall extend its programme of installing public address systems in all new trains and those with a life of over 5 years to allow the driver and/or guard to speak to passengers.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-86
Produce updated accident procedure manual and provide staff with appropriate training
Recommendation
BR shall produce an up-to-date manual on Accident Procedure to replace such incomplete and out-of-date documents as the Southern Region Accident Procedure booklet of November 1984. BR shall ensure that all staff are given appropriate training in such procedures. Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-87
Develop and regularly exercise effective emergency plans for all station staff
Recommendation

BR shall ensure that each area manager, station manager and all senior station staff have an effective emergency plan for their area that is understood by all their staff and is the subject of regular exercises.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-88
Introduce emergency signal override in signal boxes and update immobilised train procedures
Recommendation

BR shall introduce into all signal boxes the facility to switch all automatic signals to red in an emergency, and BR shall review and update where necessary its procedures to protect rail traffic in the vicinity of immobilised trains.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-89
Examine introducing short-circuiting bars with positive clamp on running rail
Recommendation

BR shall examine the possibility of introducing short-circuiting bars which achieve a positive clamp on the running rail.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-90
Detail evidence recording and preservation procedures within the accident procedure manual
Recommendation

BR shall set out in its manual on Accident Procedure the procedures that should be followed to ensure the proper recording and preservation of evidence.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-91
Ensure fault finding teams are accompanied by police and photographer for evidence
Recommendation
BR fault finding teams shall report to the Railway Incident Officer who, in consultation with the Police Incident Officer, shall ensure, in all but the most exceptional circumstances, that the team is accompanied by a police officer and a photographer … Read more
Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-92
Promptly update Rule Book and Books of Instruction incorporating report observations
Recommendation

The Rule Book and Books of Instruction of a similar status shall be promptly updated and observations made in this Report taken into account.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.
HIDD-93
Adequately staff and resource the Railway Inspectorate for increased responsibilities
Recommendation

Government shall ensure that the Railway Inspectorate is adequately staffed and resourced to match the increased responsibilities incurred as a result of recommendations made in this Report.

Published evidence summary
No formal government response has been recorded for this recommendation. No independent verification has been carried out.