The derailment of a train carrying 70 people could have been avoided if a poorly conditioned fence had been maintained in the weeks prior to the incident.

The train came off tracks near Godmersham in July 2015 after hitting and killing eight cows which had roamed onto the line.

No passengers or members of staff were hurt during the crash.

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Now, eight months after the incident, an investigation has been carried out by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

In total, the report recommends five safety measures that need to be addressed.

In particular it shows that just 24 days before the derailment the fence - that the cows roamed through - was deemed in poor condition and posed a high risk due to the nearby livestock.

Video: Rescuers at the scene of the derailment

However despite the warnings, the inspector wrote on the form that no work was required on the fence as it was ‘fit for current use.’

In Britain, responsibility for the railway’s boundary fence rests with the infrastructure manager, in this case Network Rail.

The report also identified that the leading carriage of the train was not fitted with obstacle deflectors, which are designed to shield wheels and remove large obstacles from the path of the train.

In addition, the 41-page report revealed that a cow was reported an hour before the crash near the track by another driver.

The report concludes that while the train derailed as a result of striking the herd of cows, the fact that the “fence had not been maintained so as to restrain cattle” was a factor.

It adds that the railway’s response to an earlier report of a cow within the boundary fence was “insufficient to prevent the accident” and that the absence of an obstacle deflector on the leading unit of the train made the “derailment more likely”.

It recommends that Network Rail modify its risk rating methodology for fencing inspections and noted that it is already in the process of reviewing its boundary management.

It also suggests that Network Rail should clarify to signallers how long they continue to cation trains following reports of animals on the line and “what constitutes being ‘sure’ that the line is again clear”.

The Southeastern service from London Charing Cross to Ramsgate came off the tracks after hitting eight cows in Godmersham, between Wye and Chilham stations.

The eight carriage train was travelling at 69mph at the point of impact, but there were no reported injuries from the 67 passengers or three members of staff.

The driver of the train has since been commended for his quick-thinking actions after he ran for about three-quarters of a mile towards an oncoming train and used its radio to report the accident, as his had stopped working after the crash.

All travellers were led to safety and taken to Godmersham Village Hall while alternative transport was arranged.

The line was closed in both directions for several days as part of the track, as well as sleepers and a small bridge, were all damaged in the incident, with Network Rail having to replace 400 yards of track.

Rail Accident Investigation Branch chief inspector Simon French said: “Train derailments are potentially dangerous and travelling at 69mph, it was lucky that no passengers were injured in this accident.

“Following our detailed independent investigation, we have made recommendations on fence inspections, the fitment of obstacle deflectors to trains, the response to large animals on railway property and the reliability of train radios.

“The purpose of our recommendations is to prevent future similar accidents.”