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Thursday 27 Aug 2015

Motorists face prosecution for risking lives at one-way crossing

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Motorists are being warned that they will be prosecuted for driving the wrong way towards a level crossing on the East Coast Main Line in Lincolnshire.

Last month Peterborough City Council changed the traffic flow on King Street in Lolham from two-way to a one-way street after Network Rail provided evidence that the two-way system was causing traffic to back up onto nearby Lolham level crossing due to a narrow passing point close to the tracks.

Despite no entry signs being installed to warn drivers traveling north that the road is no longer open, dozens of motorists have been spotted ignoring the signs and proceeding into oncoming traffic every day - increasing the likelihood of an incident on the road, as well as the level crossing.

Every day this week Network Rail and the British Transport Police have had a mobile camera on King Street to capture images of those who ignore the signs, with those caught facing prosecution. The camera will then return several days a week for the coming weeks.

Rob Foster, Route Level Crossing Manager for Network Rail said: “The council agreed that King Street needed to become one-way because of the risk that traffic would back up onto the level crossing when two vehicles meet on the narrow bridge near Lolham.

“Although the new traffic flow system has been in place for a month, drivers traveling towards West Deeping appear to be ignoring the clearly marked signs and as a result we have no option but to start prosecuting anyone caught going the wrong way.”

Motorists are advised that nearby level crossings at Tallington and Maxy remain open and are viable routes for those traveling north. Other crossing alternatives include Bainton, Helpston, as well as Uffington and Barnack.