A FATAL train collision near Talerddig was caused when one passenger train failed to stop at a passing loop and entered a single-line section already occupied by another train, investigators have found.

A final report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has identified low wheel-rail adhesion, failed sanding equipment, train speed, and a lack of engineered overrun protection as key factors in the crash.

The collision happened at around 7:26pm on Monday (Oct 21), 2024, on the Cambrian line near Talerddig, Powys.

The 6:31pm Transport for Wales service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, train 1J25, collided head-on with the 7:09pm Machynlleth to Shrewsbury service, train 1S71.

One passenger on train 1J25 suffered fatal injuries. Three others on the same train, including the guard, were seriously injured, and 18 people received minor injuries.

The driver of train 1S71 was also seriously injured, while the remaining five people on that train suffered minor injuries.

Investigators said train 1J25 should have stopped inside the Talerddig passing loop to allow the oncoming train to pass. Instead, it continued through the loop and entered the single-line section beyond.

By the time the collision happened, train 1J25 had travelled around 1,080 metres beyond its intended stopping position.

RAIB said the train was travelling at around 24mph at the point of impact, while the oncoming train was travelling at around 6mph. Neither train derailed, but both were extensively damaged and railway infrastructure at Talerddig loop was also damaged.

The line remained closed until October 28.

Low adhesion and failed sanding systems

The RAIB investigation found that train 1J25 passed its authorised stopping position because of a combination of factors.

Investigators said wheel-rail adhesion approaching the loop was low, although not exceptionally so for that area during October.

Two sanding systems fitted to the train, which could have helped improve grip and potentially avoid the accident, did not dispense sand.

The automatic sander did not work, probably because of electrical faults in its control circuit. The manually operated emergency sander was not activated by the driver.

The report also found that the train’s approach speed towards the eastern entry to the loop meant the level of braking needed could not be sustained with the grip available.

Once the train had passed its intended stopping position, it entered a section with exceptionally low adhesion and a steep downhill gradient. Although the brakes remained applied, the train did not slow as it approached the other service.

RAIB also found there were no engineered mitigations in place to prevent the train entering the occupied single-line section after the overrun.

Nine recommendations made

RAIB has made nine recommendations following the investigation.

These include improvements to the design, maintenance and testing of trainborne sanding equipment, a review of overrun risk on the Cambrian line, and changes to future software-based train control systems.

Network Rail has also been urged to improve its understanding of railhead treatment regimes and how these affect wheel-rail adhesion.

Transport for Wales Rail Limited has been asked to review driver training, while further recommendations cover emergency preparedness for on-train staff and the design of passenger train interior fittings to reduce injury risks in future accidents.

RAIB also identified a learning point relating to safety-critical communications between signallers and train drivers.

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents, said: “The accident at Talerddig was a tragedy. One person lost their life and others were seriously injured in the first fatal train-to-train collision in more than 25 years.

“Widely varying levels of grip between steel wheels and steel rails is an inherent issue for railways and a lot of effort goes into managing this and its possible consequences.

“That can involve the way track and the surrounding area is maintained, the way trains and signalling systems are designed, and the way trains are operated and maintained.

“The Talerddig investigation found factors associated with several of these areas, and related to the way different parts of the overall railway system interacted.

“RAIB has made nine recommendations to reduce both the likelihood and mitigate the consequences of a similar event.

“I sincerely hope the lessons of this accident deliver lasting safety improvements on the Cambrian line, across the ongoing rollout of ERTMS, and on the wider railway network.”

RAIB stressed that its role is to improve railway safety and prevent future accidents. It does not determine blame, liability, or carry out prosecutions.

Shortage of specialist nurses could leave people without support needed to access fair healthcare

PEOPLE with learning disabilities are being denied fair access to health and care because of a growing crisis in specialist nursing, the Royal College of Nursing has warned.

A major new RCN review says health and care services across the UK are failing to consistently meet the needs of some of society’s most vulnerable people, despite legal duties designed to protect them.

The report, Safety, Equity and Expertise: A UK review of learning disability nursing, warns that shortages of specialist nurses mean some patients are being overlooked, excluded or harmed when mainstream services are unable to properly adapt to their needs.

The RCN says learning disability nurses play a vital role in helping patients who may struggle to communicate symptoms, understand treatment, attend appointments, or cope with busy hospital and healthcare environments.

Their work includes supporting patients and families, helping services make reasonable adjustments, preventing health problems from escalating, and ensuring people with learning disabilities receive safe and appropriate care.

Workforce under pressure

Figures analysed by the RCN show the number of learning disability nurses employed by the NHS across the UK has fallen sharply over the past 16 years.

Numbers dropped by 33%, from 7,083 nurses in 2009 to 4,768 in 2025.

The college has also raised concerns about the future workforce, with fewer than 500 students enrolling on learning disability nursing courses across the UK in 2025. Over the past decade, the number of students accepted onto courses has fallen by around 40%.

In Wales, the RCN says almost 1,000 registered learning disability nurses live in the country, but fewer than 500 whole-time equivalent nurses are employed within NHS Wales.

The organisation has also highlighted a 32% decline in nursing roles across independent and social care providers, warning that course closures, an ageing workforce and ongoing vacancies are threatening the future of specialist support.

Health inequalities

The RCN says the shortage is particularly concerning because people with learning disabilities already experience significant health inequalities.

The latest Learning from Lives and Deaths report found the median age of death for people with a learning disability was just 62.5, compared with around 82 for the wider population.

Campaigners have long warned that people with learning disabilities can face barriers when accessing healthcare, including difficulties explaining symptoms, services failing to adjust communication, and health concerns being missed.

Under the Equality Act 2010, healthcare providers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people are not disadvantaged when accessing services.

The RCN says learning disability nurses are often central to making sure those rights are delivered in practice.

‘People deserve better’

RCN Chief Nursing Officer Professor Lynn Woolsey said the findings should serve as a warning.

She said: “We cannot continue this path where learning disability nursing is consistently undermined. It’s a profession that is central to the safety, equity and human rights of people with learning disabilities.

“Yet the learning disability nurse workforce is in absolute crisis, with workforce numbers falling while university student numbers also collapse.

“Their skills are too vital for this to be allowed to continue. The expertise of learning disability nurses has been poorly understood, inconsistently recognised, and insufficiently protected within health and care systems.

“People with learning disabilities deserve better. Learning disability nursing must be recognised by health leaders as the safety-critical profession it is and workforce planning must reflect their value and importance.”

Call for action in Wales

RCN Wales Executive Director Nicola Williams said learning disability nurses are essential in supporting vulnerable people and tackling inequalities.

She said: “Learning disability nurses play a vital role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and helping to tackle the significant health inequalities they continue to experience.

“People with learning disabilities have the same right as everyone else to safe, effective and equitable health care.

“Yet this report highlights serious concerns about the future of the specialist workforce that is so often central to making that happen.

“We cannot allow learning disability nursing to become an afterthought. The Welsh government, health boards and education providers must work together to protect and grow this vital workforce so that people with learning disabilities receive the care, support and advocacy they deserve.”

The RCN is calling for long-term workforce planning, improved training opportunities, and action to increase the number of specialist nurses entering the profession.

A PEMBROKESHIRE pupil is celebrating after her design was chosen as the county’s new Active Travel logo.

Lillian Richards, a Year 6 pupil at Cleddau Reach Primary School, was named the overall winner of a Road Safety and Transport competition which invited pupils across Pembrokeshire to create a fresh logo for Active Travel.

Her design will now be used on Pembrokeshire County Council’s website and social media platforms.

Lillian’s entry was selected from a strong field of submissions, standing out for its bright, colourful style and for capturing a range of Active Travel options.

The winning design was later developed into a final logo by the council’s graphics team, with Tom Banner refining it into a professional format.

Lillian was presented with a certificate and prize at her school by Road Safety Officer Sally Jones.

Speaking after the presentation, Lillian said she was “extremely pleased” to have won and was impressed with how her design had been transformed.

Sally Jones praised Lillian and the wider field of entrants.

She said: “The standard of entries for this competition was incredible. We have some very talented pupils across Pembrokeshire.

“Lillian’s design was thoughtful, hit the brief and was eye-catching. She should be very proud of her work and we are excited to start using the logo moving forward.”

Caption:

Competition winner: Lillian Richards is pictured with council Road Safety Officer Sally Jones.