Justice for Darrell Pierre - CAMPAIGN FOR AN APOLOGY FROM BLACKPOOL COUNCIL (Blackpool Liberal Democrats)

Blackpool Liberal Democrats <info@blackpool-libdems.org.uk>

Justice for Darrell Pierre - CAMPAIGN FOR AN APOLOGY FROM BLACKPOOL COUNCIL

December 13, 2009 1:53 PM

Darrell Pierre

For legal reasons some material has been removed from this domain in accordance with written requests from BTS Ltd which have been respectfully acted upon. Equally we appreciate their dutiful position and conclude our campaign has no connection or persuit against its employees or intended to damage the reputation of BTS in any form whatsoever. For the sake of clarity and to avoid any misinterpretation Darrell Pierre was never employed by BTS Ltd. We also accept BTS Ltd is a completlely seperate legal entity from Blackpool Council and share no responsibilty. We believe the overall responsibilty to resolve and conclude this matter falls upon the Local Authority Blackpool Council owner of Blackpool Tramway (in 1980) and as it still is today. Regretfully some confusion has occured with conflicting information received from all parties as to the appropriate body responsible in responding to several enquires relating to the initial 2009 investigation and campaign.

This campaign has been reported in the local media (Blackpool Gazette) and regional BBC TV News . At no stage have BTS Ltd been involved or engaged or associated to comment publically regarding any issues relating to the 1980 collision or employment of the late Darrell Pierre. Blackpool Council spokesmen have publically commented on both occasions.

For the avodiance of doubt this campaign is simply a series of facts and recollections regarding this infamous tram collision that occured involving my late father who was wrongly apportioned 100% blame by the former Blackpool Borough Council Transport Department. The regretfull disciplinary occured and cannot be denied by the authorities. The 1980 collision is one of the biggest and memorable events relating to the 125 year history of the Blackpool Tramway. The news reports and press cuttings exisit. I draw some comfort from the fact that my father's civil case was successful albeit 27 months late. Due to his legacy, fortunately this nature of head-on collision and unfair disciplinary blame has not been repeated to this magnitude and many lessons have been learned. On several occasions incidents relating to incorrectly set points have re-occured but at no stage has the driver been apportioned 100% blame.

Diagram of Tram Terminus

On the 4th September 2009 two trams collided at a set of points incorrectley set once again opposite the Blackpool Pleasure Beach terminus. The conductor responsible for this error was sacked and the driver was disciplined with a written warning. This location now has a red signal in place to warn drivers about incorrectly set points. There were no signals (mechanical or illuminated) in 1980 to aid tram drivers of incorreclty set points. The 30th anniversary is apporaching and even with the passage of time the student conductor responsible has never come forward voluntarily or been named by the authorities or transport officials. With due consideration we feel it is only fit and proper our late father's former employer or the appropriate body should, out of dignity offer our family a deserved apology/acknowledgement for the inital wrong apportionment of blame already proven and highligted by the courts. This would be received honorably in the memory of his good name so our family can rightfully achieve long awaited closure.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information. Also grateful thanks to all who have shown their loyal support and kind words since learning about the death of my father who is fondly remembered as a true gentlemen. R.I.P

Stephen Pierre

headon DARRELL PIERRE CAMPAIGN GROUP