THE Government last night announced action to prevent a repeat of the Selby rail disaster with a series of sweeping measures to tackle railway bridge safety.

Despite widespread concern over the crumbling state of many road bridges over the East Coast Main Line, urgently needed work was paralysed by a row between local councils, the Highways Agency and the rail industry over who was responsible for picking up the bill.

Last night, the Government moved to break the impasse with a national funding protocol which will speed up the vital work.

The long-awaited move follows a two-year campaign by The Northern Echo after our investigation exposed glaring inadequacies in the bridge barriers and the funding row which blocked improvements.

Our campaign was mounted in the aftermath of the accident at Great Heck on the East Coast Main Line, which claimed the lives of ten people.

The tragedy happened when a Land Rover careered of the M62 on to the line and was hit by a GNER express, which in turn collided with a coal train.

Last night's announcement effectively breaks the deadlock and now spells out clearly who is responsible for what.

Transport minister John Spellar said: "I am pleased that this guidance has been produced and agreed by working in collaboration with the rail industry, local authorities and the Highways Agency.

"It is vital that we make our roads and railways as safe as possible.

"This guidance will help local authorities and the rail industry assess and manage the risk of vehicles accidentally leaving the road and getting on to the railway"

Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "There was a pressing need to clarify responsibility for the safety of railway bridges. I commend The Northern Echo's determined campaign for keeping this important issue at the forefront of our minds."

Selby survivor David Miller, a senior council executive in Durham, said: "I hope that prompt, widespread and thorough use is made of the guidance so that rail passengers can travel with added confidence."

Structural engineer professor John Knapton, a key figure in the campaign, said last night: "It has been two years since Selby and it might have happened quicker.

"But better late than never. It will be really helpful to local authorities who have only been able to attend to bridges one at a time because of uncertainty over where the money was coming from."

The report sets out criteria for apportioning responsibility and costs of improvements needed wherever roads meet, cross or run close to railways.

It also details enhanced guidance on risk assessments and measures to help reduce the risk of vehicles accidentally leaving the road and getting on to the railway.

In the aftermath of the disaster two years ago, The Northern Echo visited 50 bridges between Newcastle and York and found the approach on dozens to be woefully inadequate.

In July, the Prime Minister intervened and promised to resolve the row over who was responsible for repairs.