Composite of emergency motions received from RMT and TSSA
Congress is deeply concerned at the train derailments in East Sussex on 13 August and Essex on 14 August 2026.
Congress believes that we should not seek to pre-judge the ongoing Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) investigation. However, irrespective of the specifics of these incidents, the railways face wider challenges to safety created by underfunding and the climate crisis. Congress notes comments from Network Rail on 14 August that “the unprecedented hot and dry weather that we have experienced this summer has presented exceptional challenges to the railway”.
Congress further believes that in the Lewes derailment, the fact that unusually high temperatures are even a matter for RAIB investigation should be a warning.
Congress understands that in 2020 unprecedentedly heavy rainfall was a significant factor in the Carmont rail derailment, and that extremes of heat and rain as our summers get hotter and winters wetter are putting ever more strain on transport infrastructure with implications for safety.
Congress further notes that the Climate Change Committee describe DfT’s climate adaptation policy as “good” but delivery as “limited”. Congress is therefore alarmed that due to cuts within this control period, Network Rail has reduced its planned asset renewal programme, and further notes that these reductions compound budget cuts for this control period as compared to the last.
Congress also notes that on 1 September 2026 the prime minister announced in the Commons his intention to call a summit to discuss the performance of passenger rail services.
Congress, therefore, calls on the General Council to work with affiliates to ensure the rail unions are represented at this summit and to use this occasion and all other opportunities to campaign for:
i. a massive increase in rail investment to protect the railway from extreme weather events
ii. the reversal of cuts, casualisation and outsourcing on rail infrastructure to significantly expand the number of directly employed skilled rail infrastructure workers necessary to increase rail resilience
iii. a clear plan for delivering a safe, climate-resilient railway
iv. consistent training and support for onboard staff who could be involved in accidents, with all second person(s) onboard considered safety critical
v. a move to end driver-only operation with all services having the guarantee of a safety critical conductor/guard to protect passengers, including in emergencies.
vi. cut carbon emissions through expanding affordable, publicly owned public transport.
Mover: National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers
Seconder: Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association