Recommendation Status Report: Train striking debris at Yarnton near Hanborough, Oxfordshire
This report is based on information provided to the RAIB by the relevant safety authority or public body.
The status of the recommendation(s), as reported to us, are described by the following categories:
Key to Recommendation Status
Open Actions to address the recommendation are ongoing.
(replaces Progressing and
Implementation On-going)
Closed ORR consider the recommendation to have been taken into consideration by an end implementer and
(replaces Implemented, Implemented evidence provided to show action taken or justification for no action taken.
by alternative means, and Non-
implementation)
Insufficient response: The end implementer has not provided sufficient evidence that the recommendation has been taken into
consideration, or if it has, the action proposed does not address the recommendation, or there is
insufficient evidence to support no action being taken.
Superseded: The recommendation has been superseded either by a newer recommendation or actions have
subsequently been taken by the end implementer that have superseded the recommendation.
Awaiting response: Awaiting initial report from the relevant safety authority or public body on the status of the
recommendation.
RAIB concern over the way that an organisation has responded to a recommendation are indicated by one of the following:
Red – RAIB has concerns that no actions have been taken in response to a recommendation.
Blue – RAIB has concerns that the actions taken, or proposed, are inappropriate or insufficient to address the risk identified during the investigation.
White – RAIB notes substantive actions have been reported, but the RAIB still has concerns.
Recommendation Status Report
Report Title Train striking debris at Yarnton near Hanborough, Oxfordshire
Report Number 01/2024
Date of Incident 10/02/2023
Rec No. Status RAIB Concern Recommendation RAIB Summary of current status
01/2024/01 Open None The intent of this recommendation is to ensure that effective standards ORR has reported that Network
and processes are in place which will reduce the likelihood of ineffective Rail has a proposed action plan
repair work being undertaken to masonry. and timescale for delivery to be
taken in response to the
Network Rail should review the relevant standards and procedures that recommendation. ORR will advise
deal with the specifying of repairs to fractured masonry to ensure that when the status of this
complex defects, such as bulging with fractures, are subject to appropriate recommendation changes.
review and further investigation to ensure that suitable repairs are
undertaken. This review should specifically consider how the repair of
masonry which is already in a poor condition is undertaken. Network Rail
should develop a timebound programme to make any appropriate
changes identified to standards and processes (paragraphs 115a.i, 115a.ii
and 116).
01/2024/02 Open None The intent of this recommendation is to improve the quality of ORR has reported that Network
information available to staff responsible for making safety-critical Rail has a proposed action plan
decisions on the stability of structural defects. and timescale for delivery to be
taken in response to the
Network Rail should develop and implement improved methods for recommendation. ORR will advise
managing defects in masonry structures, such as wing walls, to gain a when the status of this
better understanding of the asset. This should include consideration of: recommendation changes.
a) Introducing a standardised and repeatable method for accurately
measuring the shape of bulges in masonry walls that is suitable for use by
structures examiners, where the routine examination regime is
insufficient. This method should be available for use where bulges exist or
the need for monitoring has been identified through the examination
review process. This method should enable the likelihood of failure to be
Created on 07 April 2025
Recommendation Status Report
assessed with greater confidence and should define the actions to be
taken in specific circumstances, such as identifying the trigger for
additional monitoring.
b) Reviewing the guidance for structures examiners so that photographs
of masonry fractures included in examination reports are taken from a
location perpendicular to the surface and that bulges are photographed at
an oblique angle and from both sides where it is practical and safe to do
so. Network Rail should develop a timebound programme to make any
appropriate changes identified to standards, guidance and processes
(paragraphs 115b.i, 116).
01/2024/03 Open None The intent of this recommendation is to improve the risk scoring of ORR has reported that Network
structures defects and the interpretation of their significance. Rail has a proposed action plan
and timescale for delivery to be
Network Rail should review the training and working practices associated taken in response to the
with allocating risk scores and the examination report review process to recommendation. ORR will advise
ensure that defects affecting parts of structures which could present a when the status of this
direct risk to the railway in the event of collapse are given an appropriate recommendation changes.
defect risk matrix severity factor in accordance with Network Rail standard
NR/L3/CIV/006, ‘Structures, Tunnels and Operational Property
Examinations’, Part 1B, ‘Undertake examinations’.
This review should specifically consider if, when defects from different
parts of a structure are aggregated into a single recommendation, the
recommendation’s risk score reflects the highest risk item.
Network Rail should develop a timebound plan to make any appropriate
changes identified to training, working practices and processes (paragraph
115b.ii).
01/2024/04 Open None The intent of this recommendation is to improve asset knowledge of wing ORR has reported that Network
walls which are not fully encompassed by existing processes to enable Rail has a proposed action plan
asset engineers to make better informed, consequence-based decisions. and timescale for delivery to be
taken in response to the
Created on 07 April 2025
Recommendation Status Report
Network Rail should review its bridge assets and establish if it has clearly recommendation. ORR will advise
identified those wing walls which may fail with a potentially high safety when the status of this
consequence. Network Rail should also consider the benefits of recommendation changes.
introducing a wing wall risk tool to assess load paths and consequences of
failure to improve its knowledge of these assets (paragraph 116).
Created on 07 April 2025