Media centre

Wednesday 13 Jul 2016

Assembly Members support Network Rail level crossing safety campaign

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Assembly Members have pledged their support for Network Rail’s flagship level crossing safety campaign at a special event held at the National Assembly for Wales yesterday (Tuesday, 12 July).

Network Rail hosted the event at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay with members invited to meet the safety team and sign up to a formal ‘Statement of Opinion’ highlighting level crossing safety and Network Rail’s ongoing campaign designed to save lives.

A third of all Assembly Members attended the event and signed a pledge board in support of the Network Rail level crossing safety campaign.

The safety campaign targets those who use level crossings most often, including young people, commuters, cyclists and pedestrians, dog walkers, tourists and commercial drivers and provides them with specific information to stay safe when crossing the railway.

There are approximately 6,500 level crossings in Great Britain including 1,100 across Wales and the borders. While the majority of people cross the railway safely, there were 275 incidents at level crossings in the past year in Wales, including five collisions and 27 near-misses. Between 2009 and 2014 there were 28 deaths at level crossings across Great Britain, including many that could have been prevented.

Tracey Young, Wales community safety manager for Network Rail said:

“The railway continues to get busier so it’s more important than ever for people to use level crossings safely. We’re delighted that so many Assembly Members took the time to learn more about our campaign – their support will be really important in promoting the safe use of crossings across Wales.”

Lynne Neagle, Torfaen Assembly Member and Chair of the Children and Young People Committee, said:

“It was really interesting to hear about the work Network Rail is doing to promote level crossing safety and I was delighted to be able to sponsor the event. It’s positive that the number of incidents at level crossings in Wales is decreasing but there’s still a long way to go and I was really pleased to support this important campaign.”

Christine Booth, Wales operations risk advisor for Network Rail said:

“As part of our railway upgrade plan, Network Rail is investing more than £100 million in improving level crossing safety across Britain. We need motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to do their bit too by paying attention to the warnings at level crossings, avoiding distractions, and staying safe when crossing the railway.”

Ends