THE defective track thought to be the cause of the Hatfield rail crash is just one of 81 potentially lethal stretches of track.

Two sites in west Wiltshire have been identified in a list published this month.

Railtrack has imposed emergency speed restrictions on track identified as "possibly perilous" and has asked its passengers to be patient.

There are 20mph limits between Clink Road and Fairwood Junction at Dilton Marsh and between Blatchbridge Junction and Clink Road, also at Westbury.

A spokesman for Railtrack said: "The effect on services will be minimal. The speed limit through the stretch will not make a huge difference to journey times."

Repairs to the stretch between Clink Road and Fairwood junction should be carried out by tomorrow and works between Blatchbridge Junction and Clink Road are expected to be finished by November 6.

All of the affected sections are curved like the track at Hatfield, where the London to Leeds express left the rails at 115mph.

"The list is a precautionary measure and anything that is discovered will be dealt with quickly," said a Railtrack spokesman.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has promised that a Health and Safety Executive review would check Railtrack's procedures.