Media centre

Friday 5 Aug 2016

Children warned of the dangers of playing on the railway following near miss at Welsh level crossing

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Children are being reminded of the importance of obeying signals and signs at level crossings following a near miss with a train at a Welsh level crossing.

A train driver was forced to apply the emergency brakes last Wednesday (27 July) when three children ran over Sandy Lane level crossing between Prestatyn and Rhyl as the train approached the crossing in the early afternoon.

The incident came on the same day Network Rail and British Transport Police launched a joint summer of safety national campaign urging parents to warn their children of the dangers of playing on the tracks this summer.

New figures released by Network Rail show that children are twice as likely to trespass on the tracks over the summer months compared with winter, with over 170 young people losing their lives as a result of trespass over the past 10 years.

British Transport Police and Network Rail have jointly released a hard-hitting video on social media, aimed at youngsters who may be tempted to trespass on the tracks during the summer.

Tracey Young, community safety manager for Network Rail Wales, said: “We’re urging parents to make sure their children understand the dangers of trespassing and level crossing misuse.

“This recent near miss at Sandy Lane level crossing highlights just how often these incidents occur, and reinforces the need for young people to be educated on the dangers that exist.

“Britain has the safest railway in Europe but still too many people lose their lives on the tracks. As the railway continues to gets busier we must continue to work even harder to keep young people safe by making them aware of the dangers that exist.”

Sergeant Gemma Jones from BTPs Wales Division said: “It is important that youngsters understand the profound risks associated with running across a level crossing.

“Trains travel at high speeds and what might seem like a bit of fun, or a quick shortcut, could have a lethal ending.

“We take all reports of level crossing misuse seriously, are will always look to investigate the circumstances surround them.”

To find out how to keep your children safe on the railway this summer visit http://www.networkrail.co.uk/safety-education/information-for-parents/