IN the light of the fatal train derailment at Hatfield, swift action was needed to reassure the travelling public. That action has been forthcoming.

Within 24 hours of the crash a likely cause was identified and a rail boss had offered to quit.

This is a remarkable turn of events, particularly when compared to the ponderous response to previous rail disasters.

Gerald Corbett demonstrated strength of character and dignity with his resignation offer. As chief executive for Railtrack, he is ultimately responsible for rail safety. His decision today shows how seriously he takes that responsibility.

Earlier, accident investigators discovered a piece of broken track at Hatfield. If it is confirmed that a piece of defective track caused the accident, then the system for monitoring Britain's thousands of miles of track will be brought into question. Any lessons must be learned and implemented quickly.

Meanwhile, we must keep the accident in perspective. It is an undoubted human tragedy, and our thoughts today are with the loved ones of the four who died and the many injured.

But nothing in life is totally safe. Railways remain the safest form of land travel by some considerable margin.

It is no consolation to the grieving relatives but fatal crashes on our railways are very rare. Last year, the year of the Paddington disaster, 33 people died. By any comparison with other forms of travel, that is a remarkably small number. Many millions of rail journeys are completed safely each year. Meanwhile, thousands die on our roads.

That is not to ignore the fact that public faith in our railways has been dented by previous disasters. Coming only days after the first anniversary of the Paddington disaster, the Hatfield accident has heightened people's fears.

To rebuild confidence, the rail authorities must follow the decisive example of Gerald Corbett and move quickly to make amends.