Rail users in Coventry and Warwickshire face disruption until at least Christmas after cracks similar to those which caused the Hatfield crash were found on track in the area.

Track north of Rugby has been identified as suffering from faults which are disturbing experts.

Gauge corner cracking, which caused the Hatfield crash, has been spotted on track that was only replaced last year.

Railtrack chief executive Gerald Corbett visited the Rugby area to see the problem for himself when he visited the West Midlands earlier this week.

Previously, old worn out track was thought to be responsible for the faults. This discovery means that areas closed in the past 12 months will have to be shut again as the track is replaced again.

Railtrack spokeswoman Michelle Conaboy said investigations were being carried out to see where the problem lay.

Gauge corner cracking is the wearing down of the track on the inside corner, at the point where the train wheels touch the rail.

Ms Conaboy said:

“We’ve got an investigation going on the way that work and rail maintenance is being carried out.

“We are also talking to the train operators to see if there any changes to the way that train maintenance is being carried out.”

Nationally 170 miles of track has been identified as being in need of replacement following a mammoth checking operation at the end of October.

Ms Conaboy said the programme for repairs was aiming to have most of the work completed by Christmas.

She said:

”Railtrack apologises for the disruption, but safety has to come first.”
     

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This page modified on 10 November 2008 09:49:15AM