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Tuesday 4 Jun 2019

Catch a glimpse of life on railway and find out how busy level crossing works

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Members of the public are invited to attend an open day at Alstone level crossing near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire on Thursday 6 June where they will be able to go behind the scenes and see how the level crossing works.

The open day will take place between 10am and 3pm and visitors will be able to meet railway workers from across the industry, including the team who work at the crossing and signal box as part of International Level Crossing Awareness Day.

Information and visual displays will be available, and rail staff will be on hand to answer any questions as well as take visitors on guided tours of the signal box at the crossing.

Since 2009, International Level Crossing Awareness Day has brought together representatives from the railway industry, road authorities, academics and more from around the world to collaborate and raise awareness about level crossing safety.

Wayne Dixon, signaller and area health and safety representative for Network Rail explains: “This is a really exciting chance for users of the level crossings in the area to see behind the scenes, and perhaps even try out lowering the crossing barriers themselves. Members of the public are most welcome to attend, and I really hope that many local residents and business owners drop in to see us.”

Tim Ball, chief operating officer for Network Rail’s Western route said: “There are over 6,000 level crossings in the UK, which are used by thousands of people every day.

“Opening up the signal box and level crossing at Alstone to visitors provides a great opportunity to meet with people and show them how the crossing works, while also explaining the importance of paying full attention and following crossing instructions in an engaging and interesting way.”

“The team are really looking forward to demonstrating how and why things happen the way they do, and I hope lots of people pop in and pay us a visit – we are looking forward to meeting you all.”

The Mayor of Cheltenham, Councillor Roger Whyborn said: “As a former resident of Rowanfield, which is very near Alstone level crossing, I am well aware of the importance of level crossing safety.

“Living so near to the crossing, the movement of the trains and the barriers becomes a part of your daily life. This open day offers a great opportunity for local residents to come along and see how and why level crossings are operated, for the safety of all users.

“International Level Crossing Awareness Day is a worldwide initiative to engage with people who live and work near level crossings, and I encourage those in the local area to come along and find out more.”

Alex Chalk MP for Cheltenham, said: “It’s vital that everyone understands the risks around level crossings; and this open day will give people the opportunity to find out more about how they work and how you should use them safely.''

Those wishing to book on to a guided tour should email James Denny on james.denny@networkrail.co.uk