A RED signal was ploughed through on two occasions outside Reading Station last year when the train drivers fell asleep.

On March 28, 2015 a freight train running from Acton to Westbury passed through the stop sign on the Westbury Line Junction, to the west of Reading Station.

Several months later on November 3 another freight train on the same line failed to stop at Ruscombe Junction.

Fortunately, ill-consequence were avoided when both drivers were alerted by automatic warning horns and slammed on their emergency brakes.

It has now been revealed in a Rail Accident Investigation Branch report that the drivers had fallen asleep as they approached the signals.

The report reads: "Both incidents occurred because the train drivers involved were too fatigued to properly control their trains; both drivers stated that they momentarily fell asleep on the approach to the signals concerned.

"They were suffering from fatigue because they had not obtained sufficient sleep, which in part was due to the rest facilities at Acton not being fit for purpose, and because the drivers were nearing the end of a long night shift."

The 52 year-old driver of the March train has 23 year experience at the wheel and had been taking a range of medication in the month prior to the incident - none of which affected his capacity to drive, the report states.

The 45 year-old November driver similarly had 23 years experience and had one previous fatigue related incident in Somerset. He was placed on an action plan in 2011 for repeatedly failing to wake up in time for work.

An assessment of the driver found he exhibited some risk factors for sleep apnoea - a common disorder that can stop people breathing while they sleep.

The report suggested that facilities at Westbury Station be improved to provide better resting opportunities for drivers.