The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has opened an investigation into incidents last month when trains exceeded temporary emergency speed limits that had been imposed because of the hot weather.

The incidents happened on 11th and 12th June at Wood Green Junction in north London and Melton Lane level crossing in East Yorkshire.

On 11th June, an emergency speed restriction was imposed at Wood Green Junction, near Alexandra Palace station in north London at 20 mph (32 km/h) because of the hot weather. By the end of that day, three passenger trains were reported as passing through the emergency speed restriction whilst travelling at far greater than the designated restricted speed limit.

Similar incidents occurred on the following day, 12th June, at Melton Lane level crossing, between Brough and Ferriby stations, near Hull, after another 20 mph (32 km/h) hot weather-related emergency speed restriction had been imposed because of hot weather. By the end of that day, two passenger trains operating had been reported for passing through the emergency speed restriction whilst they were travelling far in excess of the designated restricted speed limit.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding these incidents, and after assessing the evidence that has been gathered so far, has decided to publish a safety digest. The safety digest will be available on the Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s website in the next few weeks.