Jarvis admits fence was unsafe prior to schoolgirl death

Rail maintenance company Jarvis has admitted breaching health and safety laws following the death of an eight-year-old girl on a railway line four years ago.

Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court today (Friday), Jarvis pleaded guilty to failing to ensure fencing around the high voltage line in Liverpool was secure for the seven months before Heather Foster was killed after she wandered onto the line in August 2000.

Network Rail, formerly Railtrack, has already admitted similar charges.

Both organisations admitted failing to ensure the safety of fencing surrounding the line near to where the schoolgirl died, the court heard.

The case was adjourned until 1 November.