A NEW £3m training centre for Connex drivers and signallers in Ashford has been hailed by the man who chaired the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster inquiry.

Lord Cullen, who now heads the criminal and civil courts in Scotland, opened the centre which is situated six floors up in International House in Dover Place.

Lord Cullen said he was happy to be associated with the centre, especially as it was enabling policies to be carried out that he had suggested after chairing the inquiry into the Ladbroke Grove crash. This involved a driver failing to stop at a red signal.

One of the lessons of that disaster was that it was vital for drivers and signalmen to have knowledge of each other's roles and problems so that they could communicate better with each other, he said.

The new training centre, with its six simulators for train drivers and one for signallers, ensured this happened, he said.

The centre is the result of a joint project between Connex, the train operator, and Railtrack. Antoine Hurel, Connex's chairman, said it was often said the railway industry was low-tech. This centre proved that it was the opposite.

It would improve safety for passengers and staff. It was also proof that Connex and Railtrack were working together.