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Monday 30 Jun 2025

Stop, look, listen: Network Rail launches summer safety sessions in Staffordshire this week

Region & Route:

North West & Central: West Coast Mainline South

Staff from Network Rail will be visiting level crossings across Staffordshire this week to speak with communities and raise awareness about railway safety ahead of the school summer holidays.

Between April 2017 and June 2025, there were 399 counts of level crossing misuse between London Euston station and Crewe on Network Rail’s West Coast South route. Berry Lane level crossing in Milton Keynes saw the highest number of misuse incidents, with 142 being recorded.

There have also been 23 occasions of ‘near misses’ involving a person and a train, including young people and members of the public walking dogs.

Ahead of schools closing for the summer, planned events aim to raise awareness about level crossing safety and encourage safe behaviour from pedestrians and drivers to prevent misuse and incidents from occurring.

Local people are being encouraged to join our team at one of the events to learn more about railway safety, as well as the impacts of disruption caused by trespass and vandalism incidents.

Between Tuesday 8 July and Wednesday 9 July, our teams will be at the following locations:

📍 Aston-By-Stone level crossing, Little Stoke: 9am – 12pm on Tuesday 8 July

📍 Meaford level crossing, Stone: 1pm – 3pm on Tuesday 8 July

📍 Barlaston level crossing, Staffordshire: 9am – 12pm on Wednesday 9 July

📍 Wedgwood level crossing, Stoke-on-Trent: 1pm – 3pm on Wednesday 9 July

Johnny Amadi-Ahuama, level crossing manager for Network Rail’s West Coast South route, said: “Our events aim to help educate local people about the importance of patience, safety signals, and avoiding distractions when approaching and using level crossings. Throughout the week, informative materials and guidance will be provided to encourage motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike to approach every crossing with care.

“With the schools summer holidays fast approaching, we want to emphasise the value of looking, listening, and being prepared to stop, as well as the role each person plays in preventing accidents and saving lives.”

Network Rail works closely with British Transport Police, local councils, and other stakeholders to continually raise awareness of the dangers of misusing crossings and educate the public on how to stay safe near the railway.

To learn more about level crossing safety, visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/level-crossing-safety/