Probe into Northwich Railway Station collapse could take more than a year

Investigators looking into the roof and wall collapse at Northwich Railway Station say the inquiry could take more than a year if a prosecution is pursued.

Representatives from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) gave an update to Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury and his Northwich colleague Cllr Andrew Cooper during a virtual meeting.

Chris Davies, principal inspector of railways, whose team are running the investigation, said the ORR will look at the actions of organisations including Northern, who run the station day-to-day, and Network Rail, with its responsibility for structural management.

A full scale investigation has now been authorised following last month’s incident. The ORR’s powers range from issuing improvement notices to bringing prosecutions. If the prosecution route is pursued then the process could take a year or more. Otherwise, the case could be wrapped up within two or three months.

Mr Amesbury, who said it was ‘incredibly fortunate’ nobody was killed or injured, is satisfied the matter is being taken seriously and agreed with the ORR remit that any learnings must be applied across the network.

He said at the conclusion of the meeting: “I want to update my constituents that this was a constructive, informative and helpful meeting and reassure them that things are moving forwards as regards the investigation.”

Mr Amesbury and Cllr Cooper were told the rebuild was likely to take place in 2022. Both are pushing for accessibility improvements to be carried out at the same time given the far platform is only reachable by steps and a footbridge. 

The MP said: “If you are a disabled customer with mobility issues or you might have a child in buggy, you can only travel in one direction so this is all part of the customer journey and the connectivity of our railways.”

Cllr Cooper (Lab, Leftwich), who represents CWaC on the Transport for the North scrutiny committee and is on the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, said: “We are really keen that when that rebuild happens, that we are able to take advantage of economies of scale of the running lines being shut or having plant and machinery on site so we can solve those historic accessibility issues to platform two.”

Pictured - Weaver Vale Labour MP Mike Amesbury at Northwich Railway Station.