Don't risk death at level crossings, warns Network Rail

People have been caught taking the risk by CCTV cameras at level crossings including the one in Brighton Road, Southgate.

Network Rail has closed 750 crossings since 2010 meaning it has reached its target, set in 2010, of closing 10 per cent of Britain’s crossings by April 2014.

Where the company can’t close level crossings, it has pledged to make them safer.

Robin Gisby, managing director of network operations for Network Rail, said: “We’ve pledged to close a further 500 level crossings in the next five years. Successfully closing a crossing isn’t always a straightforward process, so we will need the support from local authorities, landowners and the public to help us achieve our new target and improve safety further still.”

Network Rail has invested £131m in a national level crossings improvement programme, which by the end of March will have resulted in:

- 38 footbridges to replace crossings

- 57 new spoken warnings installed to announce “another train is coming” when one train has already passed through

- Obstacle detection radar technology installed at 13 sites

- New barrier technology installed at 33 sites which previously had open crossings

- New warning lights installed at 16 crossings

- 250 power operated gate openers installed to prevent vehicle owners crossing the tracks on foot unnecessarily or gates being left open

- ‘Wavetrain’ sound vibration technology trialled at Whitehouse Priory View crossing in Norfolk

- GPS technology installed on the Marks Tey – Sudbury line allowing signallers to pinpoint a train’s location and provide better safety information to those requesting permission to cross

- 21 crossings fitted with red light safety cameras to dissuade motorists from jumping the lights.

- 13 mobile safety camera enforcement vans operated by British Transport Police

- 100 new Network Rail level crossing managers

- National TV and digital advertising campaign – See Track, Think Train

- Rail Life schools awareness campaign www.rail-life.co.uk