RAIL union RMT has demanded Network Rail stop imposing continual cuts on safety and maintenance work after the firm was fined £6.7 million today for safety failings in the 2020 Stonehaven derailment disaster.

RMT also accused Network Rail of largely ignoring safety recommendations which were made following the accident in Carmont, Scotland, in which three people died and six were injured.

The firm, responsible for maintaining Britain’s privatised network, admitted to health and safety failings over the derailment three years ago.

These included failing to inform the driver that it was unsafe to drive the train at a speed of 75mph or cautioning him to reduce his speed amid bad weather on the day of the derailment.

There were also failings in the construction, inspection and maintenance of drainage and “in adverse and extreme weather planning.”

A report by the government’s independent Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the derailment was caused by poor drainage work and made 20 recommendations to improve rail safety which the RMT said have been largely ignored.

The union said Network Rail initially agreed to create drainage teams to deal with issues that caused the derailment — but has since abandoned the plans, claiming that it does not have to do it.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that although Network Rail had admitted guilt over failings in construction, inspection and maintenance of drainage it was still planning widespread cuts.

“The company has already effectively ignored most of the recommendations made by the RAIB and now it is cutting back on maintenance, renewals and drainage work,” he said.

“Instead of fining the publicly funded body, Network Rail should be forced to halt the culture of continual cutbacks which were inevitably leading to a more dangerous railway.”

Aslef Scottish organiser Kevin Lindsay said the fine imposed by Aberdeen High Court yesterday offered no comfort.

Train driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died in the incident on August 12 2020.

During the court hearing, Advocate Depute Alex Prentice KC, prosecuting, said that Network Rail had failed to maintain or inspect a drain built before the derailment.

He said if the drain had been constructed to the agreed specifications, it would have been able to cope with the amount of washout of gravel that resulted in the train derailing.

The court also heard the driver, Mr McCullough, had asked the Carmont area signaller if there were any speed restrictions in place due to the conditions.

The signaller told him: “No, everything’s fine between myself and Stonehaven.”

The court heard that when Mr McCullough pulled the emergency brake, there was insufficient time for it to have any effect on the train’s speed.

Construction firm Carillion, which built the drainage system, went into compulsory liquidation in January 2018.

Network Rail said it is determined to build upon the “significant changes” it has made since the incident, which have “helped us to manage the risk of severe weather to the network,” and it has invested millions to improve the resilience of the railway.

A fatal accident inquiry will be held into the crash.