28 July 2005

NRL&SE20050049

update NUMBER 4 - TESCO TUNNEL COLLAPSE AT GERRARDS CROSS

Following the collapse of the Tesco tunnel at Gerrards Cross on 30 June, all parties including Tesco, Jacksons Engineers, Network Rail and Chiltern Railways are continuing to work hard to reopen the railway as quickly as possible.  Network Rail, Chiltern Railways and Tesco have met at a senior level this week to review progress. 

An update follows:

·         Over the last few weeks Tesco’s engineers have been undertaking extensive on site testing and analysis to identify the cause and extent of the damage.

·         The engineers advising Tesco now believe they understand the causes of the tunnel collapse and will present this analysis and a plan to make the site safe for the reopening of the railway line to Network Rail by Monday 1 August

·         Network Rail needs to be absolutely assured of the stability of the structure before reopening the line.  As a result Network Rail, together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Chiltern Railways and its advisors plus other relevant parties expect to take up to a week to review this detailed analysis and Tesco’s proposed reopening plan.

·         If the Tesco plan is satisfactory to Network Rail and the HSE, it will take a further week to complete remedial works and replace track and signalling through the tunnel area

·         If the tunnel can be proven to be safe, Network Rail will complete the necessary track work to allow services to be reinstated in the week commencing 15 August

·         The immediate priority for all parties is the resumption of rail services as soon as possible.  All efforts are entirely focused on achieving this

·         The future of the scheme at Gerrards Cross, including any decision on its completion, will only be made in the light of these assessments and at a later date

Speaking about the efforts to restore services, Network Rail Director of Operations & Customer Services Robin Gisby said:  “We and the Health & Safety Executive need to be one hundred percent certain the remaining structure is safe before resuming train services through this area.  We are pushing Tesco and it’s engineers to work as quickly as possible, but there is no question of rail services resuming before they and the HSE can confirm the structure is completely safe”

Tim Mason, Director, Tesco plc added:

 “We are all working hard to end the disruption for passengers as soon as possible.  Safety of the public is our first concern and we will be guided by the safety authorities on all decisions about future work. We do understand the frustration and inconvenience and are providing full financial support for the compensation scheme for passengers devised by Chiltern Railways.”

Cath Proctor, Managing Director, Chiltern Railways said: “This has been an extremely demanding time for Chiltern Railways and its passengers, who I would like to thank for their patience and all the very helpful letters and emails we’ve received.  We eagerly await the return of our line and understand the frustration of waiting, but we must be sure the area is safe before we run through it again.  In the meantime we will continue to offer our passengers the very best possible service and care we can.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1.      Chiltern Railways has made every effort to provide alternative services for it’s passengers and details can be found on it’s website (www.chilternrailways .co.uk) or by calling National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.

2.      Network Rail is the 'not for dividend' owner and operator of Britain's railway infrastructure, which includes the tracks, signals, tunnels, bridges, viaducts, level crossings and stations – the largest of which we also manage

3.      We are working to rebuild Britain’s railway and provide a safe, reliable and efficient rail infrastructure for freight and passenger trains to use

4.      Our website: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/ - www.networkrail.co.uk

Media contacts:

Network Rail:  020 7557 8107

Chiltern Railways:  0207 282 2930  

                                       Tesco plc:  01992 644 463

I have to give full marks for the staff at Gerrards Cross and Denham station. They really are trying there best to give their customers an alternative service.

David at Gerrards cross should be given a medal. 

Especially as it is not their fault.

How many press releases have Tescos made to apologise/explain?

Oh thats right NONE!

I have not had the pleasure of commuting into town at rush hour times while all this has been going on, but my experience last weekend of travelling into town via the bus to Denham was smooth and the half price ticket more than compensated for the inconvenience of catching a bus initially rather than straight onto a train. Even though I was alone on the bus home I felt safe and as it was raining the driver dropped me at the end of my road rather than down by the station. Chiltern Railways have done their best to provide a satisfactory service in the circumstances and have regularly communicated what is going on to their customers (even though their compensation arrangements are a little unfair on those who have travelled via alternative routes). I agree with Jenny though, an apology from Tescos would be welcomed.