A public inquiry into the Paddington rail crash, which claimed 31 lives, was opening in London today.

Inquiry Chairman Lord Cullen said everyone should ensure lessons were fully learned from the crash for the sake of those who had suffered.

Those injured in, or bereaved by, the October 1999 accident were attending the inquiry while still angry at yesterday's Crown Prosecution Service decision not to bring manslaughter prosecutions over the crash.

The morning rush-hour accident happened when a Thames Turbo train passed through a red light at Ladbroke Grove, two miles outside Paddington station in west London.

The Thames train, driven by Michael Hodder, 31, collided almost head on with a London-bound Great Western high-speed train. Both Mr Hodder and the Great Western driver, Brian Cooper, 52, were among those killed. Other victims included civil servant Anthony Beeton, 47, of Wheatfields, Didcot.

The CPS said there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction of an individual or company.

In a separate statement yesterday, Home Secretary Jack Straw announced proposals for a new law of corporate killing.

The legislation, which could be on the statute books by next spring, is a victory for the Oxford Mail, which launched a campaign for change.

Under the existing law it has been virtually impossible to find directors guilty of the grossly negligent error required to prove allegations. Speaking before the rail crash inquiry started, Lord Cullen, who chaired the inquiry into the Piper Alpha North Sea oil platform disaster in 1988, said: We should never lose sight of how it was that this inquiry came to be set up.

We owe it to all those who have suffered in any way as a result of this disaster to make sure that its lessons are fully learnt and effective recommendations are made for the future safety of all who travel on this country's railways.

The inquiry will begin hearing evidence next Monday.