Both Transport for London and Tram Operations Limited (TOL – a subsidiary of First Group) have indicated that they are to plead guilty to the charges of health and safety failings in relation to the Sandilands derailment of November 2016 which saw seven passengers lose their lives. The first hearing into the charges – which have bene brought by the Office and Rail and Road – took place on Friday 10th June at Croydon Magistrates Court.
It was announced in March that the ORR intended to press charges for breaches of healthy and safety law. Both TfL and TOL were charged with failing to ensure the health and safety of passengers so far as reasonably practicable.
At the hearing both indicated they would be pleading guilty and sentencing will follow at Croydon Crown Court on a date to be announced.
Andy Lord, Chief Operating Officer at TfL, said: “The Sandilands tragedy will never be forgotten and our thoughts remain with everyone affected. We have worked closely with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and the ORR since November 2016 to introduce a new safety regime and implement all the recommendations from the organisations across the tram network. This has made the network safer for everyone and we continue to work tirelessly to ensure that such a tragedy could never occur again.”
The driver of the tram, Alfred Dorres, 48, has also been charged with an alleged failure as an employee to take reasonable care of passengers whilst employed at work driving the tram. He pleaded not guilty and he has been released on unconditional bail with the next hearing at Croydon Crown Court on 8th July.
The maximum sentence for health and safety breaches is an unlimited fine and up to two years in prison for individuals.