Media centre

Friday 25 Apr 2014

See track // think train – motorists’ guide to using level crossings published by Network Rail

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National

A new guide to help motorists safely use level crossings has been launched by Network Rail.

Covering the potential dangers, and stressing the importance of never making assumptions before attempting to cross the railway track, the guide provides a useful reminder of the steps to take when approaching and using a level crossing.

Designed to promote best practice, the guide warns motorists of the dangers of taking risks at level crossing and reminds them to ensure that their exit is clear before driving onto the crossing to avoid the possibility of being on the tracks when the crossing begins its closure sequence, which can cause delays to both trains and road traffic. Most importantly, it reminds motorists that they must never assume that there is only one train coming or use previous experience to guess when a train might come.

Darren Furness, head of level crossings for Network Rail said: “Britain has one of the safest railways in Europe but level crossings remain a risk. Motorists face their own unique risks; the temptation to jump lights or race around barriers or to drive onto the crossing without making sure that there is enough space to safely exit it all put lives at risk.”

“We are investing £100 million in the next five years to upgrade and improve crossings across the country but we also want to help everyone who uses a level crossing have the knowledge they need so that they can approach a level crossing with confidence, knowing that they have taken every precaution necessary to get to the other side safely.”

The guide is available on the Network Rail website – http://www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossings/using-level-crossings/ – in both interactive form and as downloadable PDF. It has been produced in partnership with the Office of Rail Regulation and the Heritage Railway Association. Other guides targeted at pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders have also been produced.

Network Rail has invested £130 million into its programme to improve level crossing safety between 2010 and 2014. During this time it has:

• Closed nearly 800 level crossings
• Replaced footpath crossings with footbridges
• Installing warning lights as an additional safety measure at footpath crossings
• 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
• Invested in new technology such as the obstacle detection radar technology
• Introduced power operated gate openers
• Installed spoken warnings to announce when “another train is coming” after one train has passed through
• Employed more than 100 new dedicated level crossing managers
• Community safety managers who work closely with local groups, councils and schools to raise awareness

 

Network Rail has pledged to close a further 500 crossings in the next five years, investing £100 million into the national level crossing safety programme.