Media centre

Wednesday 7 Dec 2016

Network Rail urges Kirby Muxloe residents to use level crossings safely

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Network Rail is urging Kirby Muxloe residents to close level crossing gates after use, after a spate of incidents where the level crossing gates have been left open.

The crossing, which lies on the Leicester to Burton line, sees 25 freight trains per day, travelling at speeds of up to 45 mph. As the trains which run over this crossing are used to transport freight, they can run at any time of the day and night.

David Fearn, level crossing manager at Network Rail said: “One of the problems we are experiencing at Kirby Muxloe level crossing is pedestrians and cyclists using the vehicle gates, and then failing to close them after they have crossed.

“Pedestrians and cyclists are provided with a separate gate to vehicle users to keep users of the level crossing as safe as possible.

“Failing to close crossing gates can allow animals to gain access to the line, which can cause delays for passengers. It also means that children may wander onto the line, or drivers may wrongly assume that the level crossing is safe to cross, which could have tragic consequences.”

Network Rail is investing more than £100m to improve level crossing safety across Britain, as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan.

To find out how to stay safe when using level crossings, visit www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossings