Media centre

Wednesday 9 Feb 2011

MOTORING MADNESS AT LONDON LEVEL CROSSINGS CONTINUES

Region & Route:

| Southern

The number of motorists involved in near misses with trains at level crossings increased by 15% in 2010, according to Network Rail. This worrying trend is revealed as the company publishes the latest figures on level crossing misuse. It wants people to change their behaviour at level crossings where motorists and pedestrians break the law daily, many causing disruption and damage to rail and road services, with the unfortunate few suffering sometimes fatal consequences.

There were 3,446 recorded incidents of misuse at level crossings across Britain last year, although it is thought the true figure is much higher. This included almost 300 incidents in the London area with more than 50 of these at one crossing at Enfield Lock. Whilst the number of near misses is up nationwide, collisions with trains have halved from 14 in 2009 to seven nationwide. Fatalities were down too, from 13 to four.

Robin Gisby, Network Rail operations director, said: “Too many motorists continue to break the law by jumping the lights or swerving around barriers at level crossings. Hundreds of pedestrians are also risking their lives just trying to save a few seconds. It’s just not worth it.

“Whilst deaths and injuries are thankfully few, the actions of an impatient or ignorant minority cause great cost, delay and disruption to rail and road users across the capital.”

Cutting-edge technology
In a new initiative to reduce to reduce disruption at level crossings, cutting-edge camera technology has been introduced as part of a pilot by Network Rail and the British Transport Police across the Wessex, Sussex and Kent rail routes which serve some of London’s busiest commuter routes. If the pilot proves successfully it could be rolled out more widely.

Network Rail has funded a purpose-built marked police van to be fitted with nine cameras, each of which can use number plate recognition technology to help deter motorists from breaking the law. One of the cameras is attached to a pole which extends up to ten metres into the air, enabling the van to operate without being right next to the level crossing. The van, which is operated by British Transport Police officers, also has access to all the systems required to process prosecutions instantly. The new mobile camera technology has been introduced to try and change motorist behaviour and deter them from jumping lights and swerving around barriers and gates.