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Tuesday 12 May 2009

CROSSING CAUTION URGED AT MOORTHORPE STATION

Region & Route:

Rail passengers arriving at Moorthorpe station are being reminded to use the foot crossing correctly. The warning from Network Rail comes after two near-misses were reported at the station in two weeks.

The station has a foot crossing which is equipped with red/green warning lights to tell passengers whether it is safe to cross the line.

Kevin Preece, area general manager for Network Rail, said: "We are concerned that passengers are getting off the train at Moorthorpe and ignoring the lights. I would appeal to all customers using the station to observe the lights - if a red light shows then another train is approaching and you are putting your life in danger by crossing the track. Please wait for the green light before crossing"

The incidents at the station were reported on 18 and 30 April.

Network Rail has a public safety awareness campaign on level crossings - Don't Run the Risk. The campaign includes hard hitting tv and radio advertising that illustrates in graphic detail the tragic consequences of misusing level crossings by both motorists and pedestrians.

Steve Butcher, Area Director, Northern Rail: “The lights at the crossing are clear: green for go, and I would urge our passengers not to risk their lives by crossing on red or when the lights are red, it simply isn’t worth it.”

A spokesman for British Transport Police added: “It’s hard to believe that people are willing to put their lives at risk just to save a few seconds.

“We take a dim view of anyone who fails to use a crossing in the correct manner and will not hesitate to take action against anyone caught doing so.”