Media centre

Thursday 30 Apr 2026

Public issued stark reminder that there are ‘no second chances’ when using rail level crossings dangerously

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Coast

Trains on the East Coast Main Line travel at some of the highest speeds anywhere on Britain’s railway. New campaign No Second Chances is delivering a vital reminder of the cost of distraction at level crossings. 

Network Rail, British Transport Police (BTP) and the wider rail community have come together for the first industry-wide level crossing campaign to raise awareness of the severe dangers that can face people if they use level crossings unsafely. 

New research revealed a worrying level of overconfidence among the British public when using level crossings. Nationally, more than eight in ten people (84%) claim they understand the dangers around level crossings – but 97% don't realise that it takes approximately one mile for a train travelling at 80mph to come to a complete emergency stop. 

And that’s not the fastest speed a train can travel on the network. 

Much of the East Coast Main Line between London King’s Cross and Scotland sees trains travelling at 125mph – meaning a stopping distance of over a mile. 

There have been 121 near misses (where a train driver applies the emergency brake) on the East Coast Main Line involving trains and pedestrians in the last five years – including 27 incidents in the year to March 2026. 

No Second Chances – primarily aimed at 18-34-year-olds through a series of three uncompromising 20-second films – raises awareness of the dangers of not using a level crossing properly and the consequences of being distracted. 

David Wortley, route level crossing manager on Network Rail’s East Coast route, said:  

“It can be hard to visualise how fast trains move, but describing it as being about 55 metres every second seems to help people understand. 

“If you couple that speed with the danger of being distracted by wearing headphones, chatting with others or rushing, the result can be fatal. There really are no second chances in those circumstances.  

“It only takes a few seconds to stop, look and listen. Those seconds that could save your life.” 

Linda Wain, engineering and safety director at LNER, said:  

“It’s incredibly important to be aware of your surroundings at level-crossings. Our trains travel up to 125 miles per hour, meaning they cover 100 metres in less than two seconds, so stopping immediately is impossible. As well, our trains, which are mainly electric, are much quieter than trains in years gone by, meaning people need to be even more alert when crossing the railway. 

“That’s why the No Second Chances campaign is so important. By stopping, looking and listening at level crossings, we can protect lives and spare people from the devastation of preventable incidents." 

One location on the line where extra safety measures have been added is Copmanthorpe level crossing, south of York. Audible warning alarms were added in late 2025 and have already been seen to make a positive difference.  

David continued:  

“We monitored the area with CCTV installation after installing the new audible alarms. Footage has already shown several examples where people would likely have crossed without paying full attention had they not heard the warning noise.” 

Network Rail is urging the public to stay safe when using level crossings by following the advice:   

• Always read the signs and follow instructions, and obey lights, alarms, and barriers. 

• Stop, look and listen every time you cross and avoid distraction. 

• Check both directions before crossing. If there is a train coming, do not cross. Wait until all tracks are clear. Remember there may be more than one train – another train could be hidden from view by a passing train. 

• Never stop on a level crossing. Cross quickly and safely. 
• Only cross when all tracks are clear, and where provided, lights and audible warnings are not illuminated or sounding.