Carillion bidding suspended by Network Rail for poor safety record

Network Rail is suspending Carillion Rail from pitching for any new business until it improves its safety performance.

Network Rail has been working with the contractor on a plan to improve workforce safety but says it has been "disappointed with progress".

The operator says that the suspension is to allow Carillion to "focus better on delivering current contracts and to deliver the required improvement in workforce safety".

Simon Kirby, director of major project and investments said that Network Rail is "raising the bar on workforce safety and Carillion Rail must improve its record if it is to attract new rail business.

"We want to give the company the opportunity of improving on safety while delivering current contracts, rather than concentrate on bidding for new business."

Carillion’s existing contracts will remain in place, "allowing the company to work towards an end of its suspension".

The contractor has reacted angrily to the news, with a spokesman saying: "We share Network Rail’s objective of improving workforce safety and regard any accident as unacceptable, but believe that the company’s decision is wholly disproportionate to our overall performance in respect of workplace safety."

He claimed that Carillion is the first company in its sector to set a target of zero for workplace accidents and that its safety record "stands comparison with the best in its sector".

But the company acknowledges there was a rise in less serious accidents within Carillion Rail between June and July, when the contractor was carrying out a major restructuring of its rail business.

Last year Network Rail suspended Mowlem (ironically now part of the Carillion stable) from bidding, following an incident on the West Coast line.