Gordon Alexander John RODGER · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 24 Aug 2023•Cumbria

Published report and response evidence

This report’s concerns and statements found in recipients’ published responses. Statements are included even where no link to an individual concern is recorded. A link shows an evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

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Concerns
1

Raised in this report

Recipients
1

Named on the report

Responses found
1

Of 1 recipient

Stated actions
2

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

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Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised1

  1. Readily accessible railway line for individuals wishing to harm themselves
    Part of recurring concern: Ineffective controls preventing access to railway tracks

Stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.2

  1. Network Rail Infrastructure Limited

    Inspect the boundary between Askam station and Heybank footpath crossing, covering both sides of the railway, to verify its integrity.

  2. Network Rail Infrastructure Limited

    Install platform-end gates and anti-trespass matting at the north end of Askam station through the CP7 work bank.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.1

  1. Network Rail Infrastructure Limited

    Boundary fencing meets applicable standards, so further action on boundary integrity is not considered necessary in the inspected area.

    Existing arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Readily accessible railway line for individuals wishing to harm themselves

Wider context from the report

“In the course of the inquest I heard that British Transport Police had recommended to Network Rail that they consider installing "anti trespass treads and gates to the north end of Platforms on Askam station if operationally possible". By a letter to the Court dated 5th June 2023 Network Rail indicated that they had decided not to take this step. The explained that Askam station is rural, that limited resources dictate which works are prioritised and that there is no history of trespass. In the course of the inquest the court heard that the line in this location is more accessible than might usually be expected, including by stiles in nearby fences associated with a nearby golf club. In the circumstances I am concerned that the line may be readily accessible to individuals who wish to harm themselves. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Ineffective controls preventing access to railway tracks.

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Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Inspect the boundary between Askam station and Heybank footpath crossing, covering both sides of the railway, to verify its integrity.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In relation to the concern raised in your Report we instructed the Network Rail Delivery Maintenance Unit for the Askam area to undertake a full boundary inspection to verify the integrity of the boundary from Askam station to Heybank footpath crossing (between the points marked on the map extract below) being a distance of 1,430 yards including the boundary on both sides of the tracks.”

Source location

Response from Network Rail
Page 3 · response
Published 6 September 2023

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Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Install platform-end gates and anti-trespass matting at the north end of Askam station through the CP7 work bank.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Utilising Control Period 7 (known as CP7) funding Network Rail intends to install platform end gates and anti-trespass matting at locations in Cumbria identified as potentially requiring such installations by post incident site visits, including Askam station.”

Source location

Response from Network Rail
Page 2 · response
Published 6 September 2023

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Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Boundary fencing meets applicable standards, so further action on boundary integrity is not considered necessary in the inspected area.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Network Rail can confirm after checking the inspection download and reviewing the photos taken during the additional inspection undertaken in March, that the boundary fencing in the area inspected meets the requirements of the applicable Network Rail Standard and that there are no outstanding items of works. On this basis Network Rail does not believe that the line is readily accessible by means of deficient fencing nor by unauthorised crossing points and does not therefore believe further action is required in relation to boundary integrity in the area inspected (as defined above).”

Source location

Response from Network Rail
Page 4 · response
Published 6 September 2023

Open published response
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Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026