Media centre

Thursday 28 Aug 2014

Campaign to improve safety at Furze Platt level crossing

Region & Route:

| Southern

Local residents and other users of Furze Platt level crossing will be learning to stay safe on the railway during a campaign organised by Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP).

The crossing is one of the most misused on the Western route, with 28 recorded incidents since last September, including three near misses. These incidents have included motorists ignoring the warning lights; pedestrians continuing to use the crossing when a train is approaching; passengers exiting trains at Furze Platt station and then walking in front of the departing trains; and drivers parking on the approach to the crossing.

Alan Durham, Network Rail’s level crossings manager, said: “Earlier this year we organised a similar safety campaign that focused on school children. Our reported incidents show however that this is a much wider issue that also affects local residents, passengers and other users.

“Where we cannot close a level crossing we have pledged that we will make it safer. The purpose of this campaign is therefore to raise awareness of the risks involved in not using it correctly, and to help people understand that by following the advice we will be providing, they can keep themselves and others safe.”

The campaign will be taking place from Tuesday, 2 to Friday, 5 September. During this time, members of staff from Network Rail and BTP will be at the crossing at peak times to advise users and hand out flyers containing key safety information. These flyers will also be handed out to passengers at Furze Platt station and given to residents and businesses in the local area.

PC Richard Willis, of British Transport Police, said: “The danger of using level crossings illegally is the same as the danger on the rest of the railway. Our officers will be at the crossing to educate road users and pedestrians about how to use it safely and legally. We will specifically target those who ignore the law, as well as reinforcing the message that level crossings must be respected and used in the correct manner for the safety of all road and rail users.”