Paddington signal to be used again

Signal 109, at the centre of the Paddington rail disaster in which 31 people died and 500 injured, is to be brought back into operation, it was revealed today.

The injured and bereaved are to be given the details about the recommissioning of the signal, out of action since the October 1999 tragedy, at a meeting with Railtrack and train company directors.

They will be told that the signal, equipped with fibre optics and a brighter light, is due to begin working again at Christmas.

Up to 400 people have been invited to the Shaw Park Plaza hotel for Monday's meeting with Railtrack. The letters say: "There will undoubtedly be much interest expressed in the revised (track) layout and signalling.

"We want to take this opportunity to privately discuss the proposal with the bereaved and survivors."

Keith Styles, from Tilehurst, near Reading, who suffered 70 per cent burns, will be one of those attending the meeting. He said it was to be "welcomed" that Railtrack was announcing what it intended to do.