Overview
- The inquiry heard the 2010 drainage scheme built by Carillion was not constructed to the agreed design, with debris from the drain later washed onto the track before the Stonehaven crash.
- Network Rail’s former project manager said Carillion was treated as a competent contractor allowed to self-assure its work, leading to a light-touch approach to site checks.
- Neither Network Rail nor designer Arup knew of the construction deviations during the build, and the legally required health and safety file with as-built drawings was missing.
- Sheriff Lesley Johnson suggested the arrangement effectively let Carillion “mark its own homework,” a characterization witnesses accepted in evidence.
- Earlier sessions heard RAIB evidence that the driver was told it was “fine” to proceed at line speed and that extreme-weather controls were not fully activated, while Network Rail officials said the signaller followed the rulebook and pointed to post-accident changes, including a clause permitting alternative action when safer.