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Monday 15 Jul 2024

Frightening video footage shows people risking their lives at level crossings as Network Rail warns people to stay safe at level crossings during the summer holidays

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Kent

• Network Rail is reminding parents and children to remain vigilant around the railway as incidents of level crossing misuse rise during the summer break
• Never-seen-before CCTV footage shows reckless behaviour and near misses with trains
• 258 incidents of misuse and 33 near misses recorded at level crossings across Network Rail’s Kent route over the last year as hotspot locations are revealed
• Network Rail has set up a dedicated safety centre set up in Margate - believed to be the only one of its kind in the country

To coincide with the start of the summer holidays, Network Rail is reminding children and their parents of the dangers of misusing level crossings as part of a new safety campaign.

Latest figures show there were 258 incidents of misuse and 33 near misses at level crossings across Network Rail’s Kent route in the last financial year (2023/24). Although this represents an 18% decrease in the number of misuse incidents and a 13% decrease in the number of near misses on the previous year*, safety remains our number one priority because even one near miss is too many.

Across Kent and South East London, the hotspots for level crossing misuse are:

• East Farleigh (near Maidstone) = 51 incidents
• Bax (between Sittingbourne and Faversham) = 11 incidents
• Shornemead (in Shorne near Gravesend) = 9 incidents
• Whitehall (in Wincheap near Canterbury) = 5 incidents
• Gillingham = 4 incidents
• Millbridge No. 2 (in Rye) = 1 incident
• Middle Salts (in Rye) = 1 incident

More widely, across Network Rail’s Southern region which serves rail passengers and freight operators from Devon in the West to Kent in the East right across the South of England, longer term trends (since 2017) show the number of level crossing misuse incidents has decreased by 15%, but the number of near misses has increased by 31%.

On Network Rail’s Kent route, the community safety team has set up a dedicated safety centre in Margate which is believed to be the only one of its kind in the country, offering schools, clubs and groups the opportunity to learn about railway safety through interaction.

‘Distracted? You’ve Crossed the Line’ safety campaign

Network Rail has also launched its ‘Distracted? You’ve Crossed the Line’ safety campaign which aims to positively encourage young adults (aged 18-34) to take responsibility for their own personal safety and illustrate distractions such as taking selfies, listening to music or looking at a phone when using a level crossing.

Sam Pead, Network Rail’s Southern region level crossing manager, said: “While our railway is one of the safest in Europe, its critical people understand the dangers and potential consequences of misusing level crossings.

“It’s important to remember that some of the dangers on the railway aren’t always visible. Across the Southern region trains can travel as fast as 140mph and are largely powered by the third rail which carries more than enough electricity to kill or seriously injure and is always on.

“It’s frustrating we continue to see people recklessly risking their lives when crossing the railway.

“We work exceptionally hard alongside our partners to educate people about the dangers of the railway and with the start of school summer holidays, we’re urging children and their parents to respect the railway, stay safe and remain vigilant when crossing the railway.”

Nicola Dooris, Network Rail’s Kent route community safety manager, said: “It’s imperative children, and their parents, are educated on how to stay safe when near or using the railway and we work extremely closely with schools all across Kent and South East London to deliver workshops that share good practice and highlight the dangers of trespassing and deliberately misusing level crossings.

“While our railway is one of the safest in Europe, we can’t rest on our laurels and just one injury or death on the railway is one too many. We’ll continue working with schools and the local community to keep everyone safe and our centre in Margate plays a crucial role in supporting this work.”

Steve Lewis, Head of Health, Safety and Environment for Southeastern, said: “The railway is a great way to visit friends, family, or the many wonderful attractions we serve across the south-east, but we must never lose sight of the dangers it can pose when people don’t behave sensibly around it. We are working closer than ever before with our colleagues at Network Rail and the British Transport Police to provide a reliable and safe railway. I would urge parents and children to take this advice extremely seriously and follow our clear safety rules. None of us want anything to spoil your holidays.”

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson said: “Unfortunately we have seen too many times the tragic and life changing consequences of people ignoring the warnings of danger when being near the railway. Sadly some children think the rail tracks look like tempting places to play and don't consider just how dangerous the tracks can be.

“BTP work with Network Rail to educate children and students at school of the dangers being near tracks and share some of the devastating real life stories from You vs Train such as Harrison's story.

“Passengers and the public continue to be our eyes and ears and they can help us by reporting any concerns or incidents by texting us on 61016 or calling 0800 405040.”