Travel Desk

London Underground has been fined £7,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,000 after pleading guilty to a health and safety offence following an Office of Rail Regulation prosecution.

The sentencing at City of London Magistrates’ Court on 17 December followed a number of incidents between May and October 2009 in which 13 members of the public were injured falling on an uneven step at Cannon Street tube station. At least one person suffered life-changing injuries, while some were knocked unconscious, and others sustained very serious injuries including a broken wrist, a broken nose and cuts to the head.

Commenting on the case, Caroline Wake, deputy chief inspector of railways at the Office of Rail Regulation said:

"Health and safety at Britain’s stations is just as important as health and safety on the tracks.
"In this case, our investigation found that London Underground failed to take action to improve safety at Cannon Street station despite being aware of a considerable safety risk. Its failure to act left 13 passengers suffering injuries - many of which were serious, one was life-changing. This is simply unacceptable.

"We continue to press for improvements across the rail industry, taking appropriate enforcement action - including prosecution - when necessary."