But despite a long campaign by the relatives of the deceased and MP James Clappison, a public inquiry into the Potters Bar derailment has still not been held.

The Potters Bar Edition has called upon newly-appointed Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon to conduct an official investigation.

And the people of Potters Bar have got behind us.

Patricia Smith's mother Agnes Quinlivan, who lived in South Mimms, was one of those who died on that fateful day in May 2002.

Mrs Smith said she "fully supported" our campaign, which includes an online petition calling for a public examination of the crash.

"We have got to have a public inquiry, it has gone on too long," she said.

"They (the Government) should hang their heads in shame."

Mrs Smith urged Mr Hoon to resolve the issue promptly.

She said: "You don't expect this sort of thing in the UK.

"It is unbelievable that it has taken so long."

Borough councillor Eddie Roach, who represents the Parkfield ward, pledged his "whole-hearted" support for our crusade.

He said it would be wrong to close any investigation into the tragedy without having a public hearing.

"It is only right that when we have a crash such as this it should be aired openly so that people know what happened and if there is any blame to be apportioned," he said.

Renewed calls for a public review of the Potters Bar crash surfaced last month, following the publication of a report into the Grayrigg derailment in Cumbria in February 2007.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Hoon said he would consider the implications of this report, before deciding whether to hold an inquiry.

A decision is anticipated early in the new year, so we really need your support.