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Friday 22 Jan 2021

Network Rail is urging people to stay safe at level crossings after shocking CCTV footage showed a woman laying on railway tracks to pose for photographs

Region & Route:

Southern: Sussex

| Southern

The clip of Tidemills level crossing is the latest in a series of dangerous incidents on the railway, which could have ended with fatal or life-changing consequences.

Tracy Partridge, East Sussex level crossing manager at Network Rail, said: “We are concerned about repeated dangerous behaviour at Tidemills level crossing which follows the near misses which took place last year.

“We cannot stress enough the danger that people are placing themselves in when they don’t use a crossing safely. A split-second decision can have life-changing consequences, not only for those involved, but also for their family and friends, train drivers and railway workers.

“Please, never take chances when using level crossings and if you have any concerns, always contact Network Rail or British Transport Police.”

This is the 17th incident at this crossing in the last 9 months (since 1 April 2020) with 15 recorded near misses. During the whole of 2019 there were only 4 recorded incidents with 3 recorded near misses.

The dangerous behaviour at Tidemills include level crossing users filming the emergency stop of an oncoming train. In another incident, bike users narrowly missed a train while large groups of pedestrians have also experienced close calls by trying to beat approaching trains. Cameras have also captured a funeral procession using the crossing.

Jonathan Pine, British Transport Police Inspector, said:

“This is unthinkably stupid behaviour by two women clearly oblivious to the dangers of level crossings. Trains pass through this line at speeds of up to 70mph, so they could quite easily have been moments away from a catastrophic incident. We’ve seen first-hand the consequences of this sort of recklessness and no photo opportunity is worth risking your life for.”

Local people and visitors will soon enjoy safer access across the railway at Tidemills in the South Downs National Park after Network Rail’s proposals for a stunning new footbridge were granted.

The footbridge, which has been designed to blend with the local landscape and heritage features of the old village of Tidemills, will provide safer access to Seaford beach and the surrounding landscape.

Once the new footbridge is in place, the footpath crossing will permanently close.