AN improvement notice has been issued to the rail operators whose locomotive narrowly missed a high speed train at Wootton Bassett junction in March.

Following a thorough investigation into the operations of West Coast Railways Company, the regulator, Office of Rail and Road, found no grounds to revoke their safety certificate or bring criminal sanctions.

At 5.25pm on March 7, the 13-carriage Cathedrals Express service, pulled by engine Tangmere, failed to stop at a danger signal on the approach to the double line junction near Wootton Bassett, and missed its mark by 700 yards.

It came to rest at the Wootton Bassett junction just one minute after the previous train had passed.

The Battle Of Britain class steam loco was travelling between Bristol Temple Meads and Southend Victoria, and it is believed it was First Great Western’s 15.28, Swansea to London Paddington high-speed passenger service it narrowly avoided.

The company was handed a total network ban from Network Rail, which has since been lifted, and after considerable improvements in safety monitoring, the ORR investigation has now concluded.

Ian Prosser, Director of Railway Safety, Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said: "Safety on the railways is ORR’s absolute priority, and we will not allow services to run where we see safety risks. Following the serious incident where a West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) train passed a signal warning at danger near Wootton Bassett Junction on 7 March 2015, ORR inspectors have carried out an extensive investigation into the standards of safety on their passenger services.

"The regulator’s initial investigation found shortfalls in the WCRC’s safety management system and in response the company has introduced enhanced safety procedures and appropriate staff competence regimes.

"ORR inspectors have been on site examining the new safety arrangements and inspecting WCRC passenger services to ensure that the necessary changes are being fully implemented by the company.

"ORR has issued an Improvement Notice to ensure WCRC delivers further improvements. This will ensure workers are provided with suitable training and effective systems to control safety risks and have clearly defined performance indicators in place.

"ORR will closely monitor the company and will not hesitate to step in if any non-compliance with the Improvement Notice is found."