CUTTING through the confusing array of contractors, sub-contractors and sub-sub contractors working on the railways can be a difficult business.

And when even the Association of Railway Training Providers can only hazard a guess at the number of firms providing staff for the network - 350 - the impact on safety cannot be ignored.

It with this background that Mowlem Railways has opened its first rail-training centre, near Ashford station.

"You can't just drop people onto the railways and expect them to understand everything," said Richard Tilden Smith, of the association. "We need people who are safety-aware, but also know how to screw the thing together.

"There is an effort being made to replace technical skills lost since privatisation and companies like Mowlem are finally seeing the light."

With railway maintenance in the spotlight since the Potters Bar disaster and Hatfield before it, many are wondering about the safety of the system and those working on it.

"It's probably safer to work on the railways now than it's ever been," said protection controller John Saunders, who is responsible for teams of staff working on the tracks. "People do get injured, and some have died, but this is caused by people not obeying the rules. Which is where we come in."

Skills focused on at the centre, opened by Deputy Mayor of Ashford Bob Davison, include track safety, working on electrified lines and site safety. These courses are in addition to instruction in various tools used in track work.

"The facts are that the railway has got safer and safer," said Mowlem Railways managing director Mike Austin, "and this will help make people more competent in their environment."