Tram driver sacked for speeding on a bend

Metrolink stop at Shaw on the Oldham/Rochdale line

A Metrolink driver who took a corner at nearly three times the speed limit on the Oldham/Rochdale line has been sacked.

The incident took place at a 10mph bend in Oldham in June.

Peter Cushing, Transport for Greater Manchester's Metrolink Director, said: “Metrolink is one of the safest tram networks in Europe – this was an isolated incident which took place in June 2016.

“MRDL, who are responsible for the safe operation of the network, take incidents of this kind extremely seriously and investigate them thoroughly.

“This was an isolated staff-behaviour incident, not considered formally ‘reportable’,which was dealt with by MRDL at the time. On this basis, the matter was not escalated to TfGM.

“We are satisfied that the appropriate corrective action was taken by the operator in this instance. We will continue to apply a stringent approach to monitoring and challenging the operator’s performance, which has contributed to Metrolink’s exemplary safety record.”

In line with the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations, the operator - in Metrolink’s case RATP Dev Ltd - is responsible for the safe running of the network.

They monitor safety performance very closely and take action to intervene when required.

As owner and manager of the network, Transport for Greater Manchester also monitorssafety performance and challenges the operator where appropriate.

In addition to the operator’s own measures, TfGM conducts comprehensive annual and ad hoc safety audits and holds monthly safety review meetings – paying particular attention to trends that may point to underlying issues.