Investigation launched after rail passengers "thrown from their seats" in Peterborough

The train broke a speed limit near Peterborough Station last month

Author: Henry WinterPublished 7th Jun 2023

An investigation has been launched after a train broke a speed limit near Peterborough Station last month - which caused some passengers minor injuries.

At around 1pm on 4th May, the Sunderland to King’s Cross service, operated by Grand Central, passed over three sets of points at Spital Junction on the northern approach to the station at a speed of around 65 mph.

This was above the maximum permitted speed over the junction which is initially 30 mph, reducing to 25 mph.

The speed caused the train to lurch sideways, injuring a number of passengers, with some "thrown from their seats".

The train came to a stand at Peterborough station after the emergency brakes were engaged.

The Rail Accidents Investigation Branch (RAIB) said: "The train did not derail during the incident, and subsequent inspections found that no damage was caused to the infrastructure of the railway, or to the vehicles."

"The train involved in the incident was not due to call at Peterborough. It had been approaching the station on a fast line, before being routed onto a slower line via the points where the overspeed occurred. The route onto this slower line was being displayed by the junction signal situated on the approach to the points."

The RAIB is also investigating a similar incident at the same location on 17th April last year.

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