The organisation representing the UK’s light rail sector has welcomed moves to drive forward a range of safety initiatives following the Croydon tram crash.

UK Tram joined industry leaders at a special summit meeting set up by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to examine the implementation of recommendations outlined in a major report into the accident.

Seven people were killed and more than 60 injured when a tram derailed and overturned and the report, by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), proposed a number of actions including setting up a dedicated, light rail safety body.

Following the summit in Manchester, which also involved representatives of the Department for Transport and the Rail Safety and Standards Board, James Hammett, Managing Director of UK Tram, said: “The safety of passengers is obviously the number one priority for all tram operators.

“Since the accident they have been conducting thorough reviews of their operations and a special UK Tram group has launched a series of detailed studies into areas such as fatigue monitoring and driver vigilance devices.

“Whilst this research continues, the summit provided an ideal opportunity for us to demonstrate the progress the industry has made to date and to discuss the next steps, including the formation of a new steering group to follow through all the recommendations, including the setting up of the new safety body.”

Mr Hammett added: “This is an important initiative which has strong support from UK Tram. We’re anxious to work even closer with partners and regulators to find the best way forward for the industry, stakeholders and the travelling public.

“Trams remain a fundamentally safe mode of transport. But, we cannot be complacent, and this summit demonstrated a cross-sector commitment to try to ensure the prevention of a similar tragedy in the future.”