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Thursday 13 Sep 2018

Safety plea to pedestrians after shocking near miss in Birkdale, Merseyside

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Network Rail and Merseyrail today issued a plea to pedestrians to use Crescent Road level crossing in Birkdale safely after three people narrowly missed being hit by a train.

The driver of Merseyrail’s Hunts Cross-to-Southport service reported the harrowing incident shortly after 4.30pm on August 31.

He had to apply the emergency brake after the trio appeared from behind a passing train going in the other direction on the opposite track. They then suddenly jumped back to avoid being hit.

Lucy Chadderton, Network Rail’s level crossing manager, said: “We are reminding pedestrians to use this crossing safely. Please follow the clearly-signed instructions at the crossing. And if the barriers are down, please wait to cross until after they come up.

“There is a very good reason for this: Often a second train will pass in the opposite direction when the barriers have come down. Just because one track is clear doesn’t guarantee the other track is too. So please wait until the barriers lift before crossing.”

Mike Roe, safety and engineering director or Merseyrail, said: “Trains run frequently on the Merseyrail network and level crossings are in place to protect the safety of pedestrians and road users who need to cross the railway, as well as those on our trains. We encourage all level crossing users to take care and follow the instructions, crossing only when the barriers are fully up. When crossing, remain vigilant at all times and cross safely.”

For more information visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/level-crossing-safety/