Media centre

Notes to editors

- The level crossing at Wateringbury is manually operated by a level crossing controller. When a train is due, the controller, based in a signal box next to the road and railway, moves the gates from a position across the railway to across the road. Once the train has passed, the controller moves the gates back across the railway to allow road traffic to continue. - In June 2008, a vehicle tried to swerve around the gates at Wateringbury level crossing while they were being closed, striking one of them and in turn injuring the level crossing controller. The driver involved was prosecuted, receiving seven penalty points for driving without due care and attention, and had to pay a £135 fine, £60 legal costs and £25 compensation. - Network Rail has now fitted CCTV cameras at 13 level crossings across Kent and has plans to increase this further. All cameras will be used to provide evidence for prosecution against individuals who continue to risk lives and misuse them. - European Level Crossing Awareness Day complements Network Rail’s own national campaign - Don’t Run the Risk. - There are over 320 level crossings on routes across Kent. In 2008, there were over 200 level crossing incidents reported, including almost 30 near misses, where a train narrowly avoided striking a vehicle or pedestrian. EUROPEAN LEVEL CROSSINGS Over 600 people die at level crossings across Europe each year. Last year, 15 people lost their lives in Britain with more than 3,400 incidents of misuse. On average, more than three motorists a week were involved in a near miss, where a train narrowly avoided hitting them after ignoring warning signs or weaving round barriers. There were 20 collisions between trains and motor vehicles for those that didn’t beat the lights. Whilst even one fatality is too many, the latest European fatality statistics (2008)* reveal Switzerland, Germany, France, The Netherlands and Spain have all tragically seen higher levels than Britain. European Country/Total number of persons killed by level-crossing accidents in 2008 Hungary - 118 Switzerland - 86 Germany - 52 Czech Republic - 43 Romania - 42 Poland - 40 France - 38 Latvia - 27 Austria - 25 The Netherlands - 18 Spain - 17 Portugal - 17 Slovakia - 17 Great Britain - 15 *The European fatality figures have been provided by International Union of Railways who coordinated the 'European day of action' In support of the European level crossing day of action leaflets will be distributed which spell out the chilling truth that taking a chance at a level crossing might be the last thing you do, and pose the question: ‘would it kill you to wait?’ Events are taking place at the following level crossings: - Navigation Road, Altrincham, nr Manchester - Bow Hill, Wateringbury, Kent - Tile Shed Lane, Boldon, nr Sunderland - Station Road, Llanelli town centre - Horton Road, Gloucestershire - Station Road/Crosswells Road, Langley Green, West Midlands - Mortlake, Richmond - Stockbridge Road, Chichester - Station Road, Narborough, Leicestershire DON’T RUN THE RISK Network Rail's hard hitting level crossing safety campaign 'Don’t Run the Risk' is beginning to have an impact on people’s behaviour, according to research conducted for the company by Millward Brown. An online survey this spring found: - Before the recent advertising campaign (November-February) 55% said they understood what not to do at level crossings, post the campaign this rose to 67%. - 54% of people said that the advert had already influenced their behaviour at level crossings. - 67% said that it would influence their behaviour at level crossings in the future. FACTS ABOUT LEVEL CROSSINGS: - Level crossings are safe if used correctly - 95% of accidents at level crossings are caused by misuse or error– i.e. drivers ignoring red signals, barriers and klaxons - There are over 7,600 level crossings both on public and private land that cut across the UK railway network. - UK deaths at level crossings are low by international standards – amongst the lowest in Europe and worldwide