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Tuesday 5 Jul 2022

Improved safety for people crossing the railway in Stroud thanks to award-nominated innovative pilot project

Region & Route:

Wales & Western

| Wales & Western: Western

The local community in Stonehouse, Stroud, are now able to cross the railway more safely following a recent upgrade of Globe Inn level crossing.

Globe Inn level crossing on the railway line between Stonehouse and Gloucester has recently been enhanced and now features a clear and simple to use traffic light style red and green light.

Globe Inn level crossing is on a busy urban footpath that links a local housing estate to Stonehouse town centre.

Prior to the pilot project, the crossing used an audible-only alarm system to alert pedestrians of an oncoming train. However, they faced inconsistent and lengthy waits as the alarm would sound for anywhere between 30 seconds and five minutes because it could not differentiate between a train calling at Stonehouse Station and a fast train passing non-stop. This meant some people would take dangerous risks, crossing the line while the warning was sounding and into the path of an oncoming train.

Network Rail recognised this issue so selected the crossing as one of the very first sites to trial new speed-detection technology, enhancing safety for level crossing users.

The new system uses a red light and alarm when a train is due that has a more consistent warning time of around 18-25 seconds, giving users a more reliable warning. When it is safe to cross, a green light shows.

As part of this upgrade, Network Rail also replaced the old, worn steps, adding a new surface for walkers to use, removing overgrown vegetation and erecting new signage.

This project to enhance Globe Inn level crossing has also been recognised within the rail industry, having been shortlisted for an ‘Innovation of the Year’ award at the National Rail Awards.

The success of the trial now means that this technology will be available for use at other complex level crossings, enhancing safety across the whole of the UK rail network.

Richard Pedley, Network Rail’s Western route level crossing manager, said: “We’re pleased that this trial has proved so successful and provides a great example for roll out at similar level crossings nationwide where trains are likely to stop close by.

“The red/green light system, with its consistent warning time will improve the confidence of users who need to cross the railway and reduce the amount of safety incidents.  

“We’d like to thank the local community for their patience while we carried out this work and hope that they find the new system more reliable and easier to use.”