Network Rail has appeared at Blackfriars Crown Court in relation to the prosecution of predecessor organisation Railtrack for a health and safety offence relating to the 1999 tragedy at Ladbroke Grove.

The company pleaded guilty and informed the court it would submit a written statement of the basis on which the plea had been entered.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The Ladbroke Grove tragedy was a terrible event for everyone involved. Lessons have been learnt and the rail industry has changed enormously for the better over the past seven years.

“The tragedy happened before the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) became available. TPWS automatically applies a train’s brakes if it is approaching a red signal too quickly to stop.

“This system has greatly reduced the risk of an accident caused by a train passing a red light.”