Media centre

Thursday 20 Apr 2017

New warning system helps make level crossings safer for people in Kent and Sussex

Region & Route:

| Southern

Four footpath level crossings in Kent and three in Sussex are now safer thanks to a new audible warning device which alerts pedestrians of approaching trains.

The crossings are among thirteen in the South East to have the kit installed in the last twelve months as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a safer and more reliable railway.

Covtec in use

In Kent, system has been newly-installed at footpath level crossings in Tankerton, Lenham, Whitstable and Aylesford where the user is required to stop, look and listen for a train before crossing. 

In Sussex, the system has been installed at footpath level crossings in Pulborough and Rustington in West Susssex and Rye in East Sussex.

Each solar-powered unit reproduces the sound of a train horn and is triggered automatically as a train approaches, providing a secondary warning in the event that a crossing user does not hear the train horn.

John Halsall, South East route managing director at Network Rail, said: “Level crossings remain the biggest source of risk on the rail network. We want everyone who lives or works near the railway to be safe, which is why we’re investing in a variety of projects to improve level crossing safety as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.

“This involves major investments such as new footbridges as well as a range of smaller yet effective improvements such as new technology which also help usn reduce risk and save lives.”

Paul Coleman, South East route level crossing manager at Network Rail, said: “These new audible warning units are solar powered and don’t require a lot of maintenance, so they’re a practical and efficient way to improve safety at footpath level crossings. We have now installed a total of thirteen of these devices across the South East, with plans for more to come.”