NORTH WALES LEVEL CROSSING USERS URGED "DON'T RUN THE RISK"

Monday 13 Aug 2007

NORTH WALES LEVEL CROSSING USERS URGED "DON'T RUN THE RISK"

Region & Route:: | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders; | Wales & Western

Users of level crossings in North Wales were today reminded of the dangers of level crossing misuse. Network Rail joined forces with the British Transport Police, Arriva Trains Wales and the local MP at North Wales' most misused level crossing - Deganwy - as part of its Don’t run the risk campaign. The campaign is designed to highlight the severe risks drivers, cyclists and pedestrians take in ignoring red signals, barriers and klaxons at level crossings. Jo Kaye, Network Rail's Area General Manager for North Wales, said: “These awareness days represent a great opportunity to spread the Don’t run the risk message to people who use the level crossings in Deganwy and the surrounding area regularly. “Our message to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists is clear - level crossings are safe if used correctly, but misuse them and your chance of surviving being hit by a train is virtually zero.” Deganwy level crossing was chosen as it is one of the most misused crossings in the region. Betty Williams, MP for Conwy, said: “I am very happy to support Network Rail’s ‘Don’t run the risk’ campaign. It concerns me greatly that Deganwy level crossing is described as the most misused crossing in the region. "The purpose of our effort today is to highlight the dangers when some members of the public behave in a reckless manner. Everyone who uses railway level crossings should do so in a proper and responsible way. To do otherwise could prove fatal.” A spokesmen from the British Transport Police in Bangor, said: “My main concern is for the safety of those who use level crossings everyday. I am more interested in preventing accidents and saving lives than enforcement and fines. "Most accidents are as a result of impatience; not being prepared to wait and trying to beat the train. For the sake of 60 seconds, a little patience can prevent lives being ruined. "I have seen what happens when a train hits a car or person and have had the sad duty of destroying people’s lives by informing them that their loved ones have died. I would urge anyone who thinks trying to beat the red light is OK, take a second to think of the consequences and stop. It might just save your life”. Level crossing misuse now represents the largest single risk of a train accident on the railway and the level crossing at Deganwy and the wider North Wales area suffer from frequent misuse.

Notes to editors

Level crossing mis-use ranges from vehicles zig zagging the barriers, young people playing chicken, to users leaving gates open. Network Rail’s Don’t run the risk campaign was launched in May 2006. Its aim is to change the behaviour of level crossing users – to protect themselves and reduce the danger to train passengers. The work on this campaign is running in parallel with other Network Rail and industry initiatives to minimise the safety risk at level crossings. These include: • Development of solutions which could lead to the replacement of some crossings • Development of obstacle detection systems • Development of lower cost level crossing systems • Developing better and cost-effective ways of detecting and recording level crossings misuse • Working with the Police and Crown Prosecution Service to improve the prosecution of offenders • Highlighting the issues of level crossings to key political stakeholders

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