20.07.12
Telford Steam Railway accident and ORR fine
Source: Peter van der Mark
Re: £5000 fine for heritage railway health and safety breach
Just like the fines doled out to Network Rail: what is the actual function of those fines? What are they for, what are they going to be used for?
In the case of this steam railway, run and operated by volunteers, a public ticking off and revoking of their operating licence until they prove they can handle the situation safely is far better.
And if they fail again to live up to standards, shut the operation down for the public good. After all, the man who got hurt was the chairman of the outfit, so in a way he only had himself to thank for this accident.
Fines in this case just smother a locally potentially useful tourist operation.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]