Media centre

Tuesday 7 Feb 2006

NETWORK RAIL ISSUES STARK WARNING ON CROSSING SAFETY

Region & Route:

| Southern

A level crossing safety campaign was launched today to highlight the dangers of ignoring warning lights at the footpath crossing and crossing the railway in front of approaching trains at Downham Market station in Norfolk.  The footpath crossing, which is fitted with red and green lights to indicate when it is safe to cross, is regularly misused and train drivers have reported four ‘near misses’ so far this year.  The British Transport Police have been forced to patrol the crossing at peak times and a CCTV camera has also been fitted to monitor the misuse and provide evidence to police. Phil Heath, Network Rail General Manager, said: “I find it unbelievable that people are behaving so irresponsibly at railway crossings.  By running across when the light is red they are risking their lives, seemingly just to catch a train.  With this campaign we are urging people to stay safe by following the instructions at the crossing and only crossing the railway when the light shows green.”  Apart from the obvious risk to crossing users, the regular misuse of this crossing can be traumatic for train drivers who approach at speeds of up to 75mph and cannot swerve to avoid a person running across in front of them.  A typical 4-car train train weighs 200 tonnes and can take the length of 20 football pitches to stop.  Drivers involved in ‘near misses’  or more serious incidents often need counselling and in some cases never return to work. Sergeant Steve Brooks of the British Transport Police said: “The habitual misuse at this crossing is some of the worst I’ve seen and it has to stop.  As well as endangering their lives, these people are risking a £1000 fine and we will be monitoring CCTV footage to identify any individuals for prosecution.  We’re asking people to stop and think before they cross.” Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, is also supporting Network Rail’s safety campaign: "There are too many accidents and near-misses at railway crossings in South West Norfolk.   These crossings are essentially safe if used sensibly, but I am very concerned that people are potentially risking their lives to catch a train at Downham Market station.  I welcome the campaign by Network Rail to educate the public and so try to prevent future incidents.  I would urge people to leave an extra two or three minutes to make sure they are safely on the platform before the train arrives, and never to risk life and limb by ignoring warning lights and safety rules." Network Rail and the British Transport Police will be handing out level crossing safety leaflets at the Downham Market footpath crossing on Tuesday 7 February and posters will also be displayed at the station.  The main pieces of advice for crossing users are: ●          ONLY CROSS AT A CROSSING ●          ONLY CROSS WHEN THE LIGHT IS GREEN ●          CROSS QUICKLY AND DON’T STOP ON THE CROSSING ●          KEEP CHILDREN AND DOGS UNDER CONTROL Level crossing safety posters will also be displayed and leaflets distributed at Littleport station in Cambridgeshire, where similar misuse is experienced at another footpath crossing.