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Friday 17 Feb 2006

LEEDS STATION EMERGENCY EXERCISE

Region & Route:

Network Rail, Northern Rail and the emergency services will host a full scale response multi-agency exercise at Leeds Station on Sunday 26 February. The fictitious scenario will involve a train colliding with a buffer stop.  This will allow all agencies involved to test their emergency response plans in this complex environment.  The multi-agency event will see the rail industry working alongside the local emergency services, British Transport Police, Environment Agency, Her majesty’s Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) and the recently formed Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). Each agency has an emergency plan and the exercise will show how these dovetail together and should any shortcomings be identified, further work will be done to improve these plans. In order to comply with Safety Case Regulations, Network Rail and its industry partners carry out several such events throughout the country annually.  It is an opportunity to demonstrate the industries preparedness to deal with a major incident.  The organisations taking part in the exercise will aim to provide a co-ordinated approach to incident management. Dyan Crowther, Route Director, Network Rail said: “We have been delighted with the commitment shown by all agencies involved in the planning for this exercise.  We are committed to safety on Britain’s railway and it is essential that we work closely together to ensure that we deal with any emergency in the most efficient way, should the need arise.” Chief Inspector Terry Nicholson from the British Transport Police said“ “We have a very close working relationship with our partner agencies and this type of exercise is an ideal opportunity to test all agencies contingency plans in response to such rail incidents and fine tune where necessary. Through this we will be in the best possible position to deal with emergency incidents, if the need arises.” Leeds Station will remain operational at all times during the exercise.