Media centre

Wednesday 16 Mar 2016

New safety measures for Wormleighton level crossing

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Users of Wormleighton footpath level crossing must use phones either side of the railway to gain permission to cross the busy Birmingham to Marylebone line.

As part of Network Rail's national £40bn Railway Upgrade Plan a study of the crossing in January 2016 revealed that vulnerable users did not have sufficient time to cross the line and a temporary speed restriction was put on trains through the area while a solution was found. By using telephones at the site to check the line is safe to cross, the speed restrictions can be removed.

A spokesperson for Network Rail, said: “Telephones are in place at the footpath crossing so that all users can get permission from the signaller to cross the line. This will make sure that everyone using the crossing has sufficient time to cross the railway safely.

“We will be monitoring the crossing during a two week trial to see if pedestrians are using the crossing correctly before making a final decision about removing the speed restrictions on the line.”

Crossing users who have any questions about the level crossing can contact Network Rail’s national helpline on 03457 114 141.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Since 2010 Network Rail has:

• Employed more than 100 dedicated level crossing managers
• Closed over 990 level crossings
• Replaced footpath crossings with footbridges

• Installing warning lights as an additional safety measure at footpath crossing
• Launched a new schools programme – Rail Life – teaching both primary and secondary school children about how to stay safe when crossing the railway
• Rolled out safety camera enforcement vans in partnership with BTP
• Invested in new technology such as the obstacle detection radar
• Introduced power operated gate openers
• Installed spoken warnings to announce if another train is coming after one train has passed through