CORNWALL LEVEL CROSSING USERS URGED "DON'T RUN THE RISK"

Thursday 2 Aug 2007

CORNWALL LEVEL CROSSING USERS URGED "DON'T RUN THE RISK"

Region & Route:: | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders; | Wales & Western

Users of level crossings in Cornwall were today reminded of the dangers of level crossing misuse. Network Rail joined forces with the British Transport Police and the local MP at Cornwall's most misused level crossing - Trencreek - as part of its Don't run the risk campaign. The campaign is designed to highlight the severe risks drivers, cyclists and pedestrians take in ignoring red signals, barriers and klaxons at level crossings. John Gill, Network Rail's Area General Manager for the West Country, said: "These awareness days represent a great opportunity to spread the 'Don't run the risk' message to people who use the level crossings in Trencreek and the surrounding area regularly. "Our message to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists is clear - level crossings are safe if used correctly, but misuse them and your chance of surviving being hit by a train is virtually zero." Trencreek level crossing was chosen as it is one of the most misused crossings in the region. Dan Rogerson MP for North Cornwall said: "I very much welcome this campaign to raise awareness of the dangers associated with running risks at level crossings. We've seen all to vividly here in North Cornwall how serious it can be when motorists ignore the signals. While waiting at a level crossing may cause a short delay, it is extremely irresponsible to take chances with other people's lives". PC Colin Burrell from the British Transport Police, Truro, said: "My main concern is for the safety of those who use level crossings everyday. I am more interested in preventing accidents and saving lives than enforcement and fines. "Most accidents are as a result of impatience; not being prepared to wait and trying to beat the train. For the sake of 60 seconds, a little patience can prevent lives being ruined. "I have seen what happens when a train hits a car or person and have had the sad duty of destroying people's lives by informing them that their loved ones have died. I would urge anyone who thinks trying to beat the red light is OK, take a second to think of the consequences and stop. It might just save your life." Julian Crow, First Great Western's Regional Manager for the West of England, said: "We're pleased to support this campaign which highlights the very real dangers of level crossing misuse." Level crossing misuse now represents the largest single risk of a train accident on the railway and the level crossing at Trencreek and those in the wider Cornwall area suffer from frequent misuse.

Notes to editors

The West Country has over 500 crossing and Trencreek is one of the most abused. Since 2000 there have been 12 accidents at level crossings in the West Country and eight have on the Newquay to Par line which has seven crossings on its 20 mile length Network Rail's Don't run the risk campaign was launched in May 2006. Its aim is to change the behaviour of level crossing users – to protect themselves and reduce the danger to train passengers. The work on this campaign is running in parallel with other Network Rail and industry initiatives to minimise the safety risk at level crossings. These include: · Development of solutions which could lead to the replacement of some crossings · Development of obstacle detection systems · Development of lower cost level crossing systems · Developing better and cost-effective ways of detecting and recording level crossings misuse · Working with the Police and Crown Prosecution Service to improve the prosecution of offenders · Highlighting the issues of level crossings to key political stakeholders

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