RAIL bosses have hit back at claims a crack in the tracks near Swindon could cause a serious accident.

Rail union the RMT said that a break discovered in the mainline near Knighton, Watchfield, could cause a potentially lethal Potters Bar-style derailment.

Plans to replace the damaged section of track, on the main route between Swindon and London, were supposed to go ahead in January but were shelved at the last minute.

But the railways operator said there were still intentions to renew the rails, but not until next year when more sophisticated equipment is available, Network Rail spokeswoman Mavis Choong said: “Safety is always at the forefront of everything that Network Rail does.

“There is a better looked after railway and rigorous inspection. This incident proves that this regime works.

“Travelling by rail is the safest it has ever been and there is no safer way to travel in Britain.

“Network Rail announced at the end of January that it would rephase some of its track renewals work in order to deliver best value for money for the British people.

“These renewals will be done in a timely and safe manner – all part of a £4bn worth of investment in track.”

Network Rail plans to use high output equipment when it is available next year to carry out more renewal work on the Knighton tracks and the rail operator promised that shelving January’s replacement work had not compromised safety.

It said the relevant section of track was inspected every eight weeks and with a special train every three months.

“As a result of this the number of broken rails is now at the lowest ever levels and we continue to work to reduce it even further,” said Ms Choong.

There are currently about 150 broken tracks on Britain’s railway network.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “A broken rail is a potential derailment and rail workers and passengers alike have every reason to demand that Network Rail stop this madness.”

Seven people died and 76 were injured when a train derailed just outside the Potters Bar station, in Hertfordshire, on 10 May 2002.

An investigation into the crash a year later found the cause of the crash was poorly maintained rails.

Commuters yesterday told the Adver they were concerned about possibly safety risks.