Video: Why they can’t close level crossings fast enough

Network Rail still has a long way to go in closing “incredibly dangerous” level crossings, the mother of a teenage girl killed by a train has said.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Jan 2014, 17:19 BST
Level crossing safety specialist Phil Graham at South Milford Station, near Sherburn-in-ElmetLevel crossing safety specialist Phil Graham at South Milford Station, near Sherburn-in-Elmet
Level crossing safety specialist Phil Graham at South Milford Station, near Sherburn-in-Elmet

Tina Hughes said she welcomed news that the company has reached its target of closing 10% of Britain’s level crossings - 750 - since 2010 but added that no level crossing could be described as safe.

“They started off with 7,500 and are now down to around about 6,500 - they have got a long way to go,” she told BBC Breakfast.

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“They are never going to be able to close them all of course. Obviously closing all level crossings is really diifficult because sometimes there is opposition to closures, people want to keep footpath crossings or whatever,” she said.

Level crossing safety specialist Phil Graham at South Milford Station, near Sherburn-in-ElmetLevel crossing safety specialist Phil Graham at South Milford Station, near Sherburn-in-Elmet
Level crossing safety specialist Phil Graham at South Milford Station, near Sherburn-in-Elmet

“They have done a lot but there is a long way to go.

“Level crossings are incredibly dangerous places.”

Ms Hughes’s daughter, Olivia Bazlinton, 14, and her friend, Charlotte Thompson, 13, were hit by a train in 2005 as they crossed the tracks at Elsenham station footpath crossing in Essex.

She was speaking as Network Rail announced that it has invested £131 million in a national level crossings improvement programme since 2010.

The company has pledged to close a further 500 crossings in the next five years, investing more than £100 million over this period as part of its programme of work to improve safety.

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Robin Gisby, Network Rail managing director of network operations, said: “Britain’s railway is safer than ever before, but even so there will always be a certain level of risk to motorists or pedestrians where a road, footpath or cycleway crosses the tracks. Network Rail is committed to reduce that risk as much as possible and, if we are able to close a level crossing, we will.

“Reaching our target to close 750 crossings in four years is good news for Network Rail, train operators and of course the public, but we cannot be complacent.”

Station footpath crossings have also been targeted for closure in order to prevent passengers from walking into the path of trains between platforms. New bridges have replaced such crossings at Woodlesford, Normanton, Thorne South and Uttoxeter station. South Milford station crossing was closed in September and pedestrians now use an existing subway.

Related topics:Network RailBritainEssex