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Railways: Accidents

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport (Geoff Hoon) has made the following Ministerial Statement. As foreshadowed by my Statement of 23 October, the Department for Transport has today written to parties affected by the Potters Bar and Grayrigg derailments to seek their views on the most appropriate way forward, following the adjournment of the Potters Bar inquest in 2007. A copy of the letter has been placed in the House Library. Letters have been sent to organisations and individuals (or their representatives) who were affected by either accident and with whom the Department for Transport has previously had contact. I am also interested in the views of others directly involved in either accident. A copy of the letter has been published on my department's website so that they may have an opportunity to respond.