The Cambrian rail line in North Wales has re-opened following last week's fatal collision and Transport for Wales (TfW) has resumed running services.
One man died and 15 people were taken to hospital after a ‘low-speed’ collision involving two trains on the evening of Monday 22 October.
In a statement, Ken Skates, the Welsh Government’s cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales said investigation teams have concluded their site-based investigation, engineers have removed the damaged trains from the site, and Network Rail undertook ‘thorough checks and safety inspections’ over the weekend.
He said: ‘The investigations will continue off site, and it remains important that we provide the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, Office of Road and Rail and the British Transport Police the time and space to do this.
‘The incident may continue to cause some disruption in the coming days and weeks, including some temporary service amendments.’
Mr Skates said he had been in contact with TfW and other agencies to ensure that passengers and staff who have been affected by the incident get the support they need.
TfW has established a dedicated helpline to provide assistance to the 41 passengers who were on board the two trains and taken steps to provide appropriate support for rail staff who have been affected by the incident, he said.
Image: Transport for Wales
In a statement following the crash, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) noted that the railway approaching the crash site from each direction consists of a single track, with a track loop to allow trains to pass each other.
These loops have points at each end and allow trains to enter a short length of track which lies alongside the single line.
The RAIB noted said its initial inspection of the track on approach to the point of collision found evidence that wheel/rail adhesion was relatively low, ‘suggesting that the train may have entered into wheel slide when braking’.
It added: ‘This will be an area of ongoing investigation.’
