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Friday 7 Mar 2014

Network Rail chief executive apologises for past failings on level crossing safety but points to significant progress

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Network Rail’s chief executive has today issued a full and unreserved apology on behalf of the company for past failings in managing public safety at level crossings and for its past behaviour towards bereaved families.

Speaking following publication of the Transport Select Committee’s report on level crossing safety, Mark Carne said: “Today, I wish to extend a full and unreserved apology on behalf of Network Rail to all those whose lives have been touched by a failing, however large or small, made by this company in managing public safety at level crossings and in failing to deal sensitively with the families affected.

“Nothing we can say or do will lessen the pain felt by the families of those killed or injured at a level crossing. Today Network Rail is a very different company to the one which existed at the time of these tragic accidents. As we made clear when we pleaded guilty during the Elsenham court proceedings, it was a watershed in the way we thought about our approach to the risk at level crossings, and how we treat victims and their families. As a result of this transformation, level crossings in Great Britain are amongst the safest in Europe, but there is still much that we can, and will, do and the committee’s recommendations will help us in that endeavour.”

Since 2010 we have reduced the risk at levels crossings by a quarter by investing some £130m in level crossing safety improvements including:

• Closing almost 800 crossings
• Appointing over 100 new Network Rail level crossing managers each with personal responsibility for around 65 crossings
• Building 38 footbridges replace crossings
• National TV and digital advertising campaign – See Track, Think Train
• Rail Life schools awareness campaign www.rail-life.co.uk
• Installing 57 new spoken warnings to announce "another train is coming"
• Installing new barrier technology at 33 sites which previously had open crossings
• Installing 250 power operated gate openers to prevent vehicle owners crossing the tracks on foot unnecessarily
• Fitting 21 crossings with red light safety cameras to dissuade motorists from jumping the lights

This level of investment and focus continues in the years ahead. Many of the work streams we have in hand will complement and address many of the transport select committees recommendations.

Mr Carne continued: “The way Network Rail now manages level crossings has fundamentally improved, with investment totalling £130m over the last five years helping us close almost 800 crossings and reducing the level of risk across the network by more than a quarter.

“This progress is welcome, but we will never be complacent when it comes to public safety. As I start my term as chief executive I have made improving public, passenger and workforce safety absolutely integral to everything Network Rail does.

“There is much more we can do to make the level crossings that remain safer and we will continue to introduce new technology, upgrade crossings to include lights or barriers where appropriate and work with schools, communities and other organisations to spread awareness of our safety message. We have agreed funding of more than £100m with the regulator to continue this work over the coming five years as we work tirelessly across the network to make our railways safer.

“Restoring public trust relies on openness and with that in mind we have made risk assessment information relating to almost all our 6,300 crossings available on our website. I will continue to explore ways to make our processes even more transparent so we can demonstrate clearly that we treat our responsibility for ensuring public safety with the utmost professionalism.”

The Transport Select Committee report makes 25 recommendations, 10 of which are specifically for Network Rail which the company will take away and consider what action it needs to take.

Richard Parry-Jones, Network Rail chairman, said: ”We welcome this report, which rightly shines the spotlight on level crossings, the element of our national rail network that presents the highest risk to the general public. While we have driven level crossing safety to among the very best in Europe, we passionately agree that there remains significant opportunity to drive this risk down further towards zero.

“It is encouraging that the vast majority of the Transport Select Committee recommendations align strongly with actions already taken, underway or planned by Network Rail’s executives and provide clear support for our team and the industry to go further. The recommendations and conclusions affecting remuneration will be discussed and considered by the Board’s independent remuneration committee who will also take into account the progress made in this area since 2010.”