To coincide with the start of the summer holidays, Network Rail is reminding children and their parents of the dangers of misusing level crossings as part of a new safety campaign.
Latest figures show there were 466 incidents of level crossing misuse and 28 near misses at level crossings across Network Rail’s Wessex route in the last financial year (2023/24), representing a 24% increase in the number of misuse incidents and a 13% decrease in the number of near misses on the previous year.
Thankfully, the Isle of Wight is not included in hotspots for level crossing misuse – there are only a small number of foot crossings on the Island.
Hotspots for level crossing misuse
However, across the Wessex route (which Islanders may visit during the summer holidays) – which serves the towns and communities in part or all of the counties of Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire – there are several hotspots for level crossing misuse:
- Farnham = 27 incidents
- Star Lane (in Wokingham) = 27 incidents
- Addlestone = 20 incidents
- Ash = 20 incidents
- Poole High Street = 13 incidents
- Englemere (near Ascot) = 12 incidents
- Mount Pleasant (in Southampton) = 10 incidents
Number of near misses increased by 31%
More widely, across Network Rail’s Southern region which serves rail passengers and freight operators from Devon in the West to Kent in the East right across the South of England, longer term trends (since 2017) show the number of level crossing misuse incidents has decreased by 15%, but the number of near misses has increased by 31%.
On Network Rail’s Wessex route, the Community Safety Team are launching Rail Safe Wessex which recognises all schools that work in partnership with the rail industry to promote rail safety and keep their students safe, by awarding them a plaque to display in their reception areas.
‘Distracted? You’ve Crossed the Line’ safety campaign
Network Rail has also launched its ‘Distracted? You’ve Crossed the Line’ safety campaign which aims to positively encourage young adults (aged 18-34) to take responsibility for their own personal safety and illustrate distractions such as taking selfies, listening to music or looking at a phone when using a level crossing.
Pead: Critical people understand the dangers
Sam Pead, Network Rail’s Southern region level crossing manager, said,
“While our railway is one of the safest in Europe, its critical people understand the dangers and potential consequences of misusing level crossings.
“It’s important to remember that some of the dangers on the railway aren’t always visible. Across the Southern region trains can travel as fast as 140mph and are largely powered by the third rail which carries more than enough electricity to kill or seriously injure and is always on.
“It’s frustrating we continue to see people recklessly risking their lives when crossing the railway.
“We work exceptionally hard alongside our partners to educate people about the dangers of the railway and with the start of school summer holidays, we’re urging children and their parents to respect the railway, stay safe and remain vigilant when crossing the railway.”
Burnett: Ensuring young people have the correct information
Marcia Burnett, Network Rail’s Wessex route Community Safety Manager, added,
“Throughout the school year we work incredibly hard to educate young people so they understand how they can keep themselves safe around the rail network. Since the school education programme began in 2018 we have spoken to over 125,000 young people across the Wessex route about rail safety.
“The aim of the programme is to ensure young people have the correct information about the rail network so that they can make the right choices and keep themselves safe, particularly over the school holidays when we see risk taking increase.”
O’Riordan: Misusing level crossings is extremely dangerous
Dan O’Riordan, South Western Railway’s Head of Security and Safety Assurance, said,
“It is saddening to see that, over the last year, the number of incidents of people misusing level crossings has risen by nearly a quarter.
“Misusing level crossings is extremely dangerous, especially as most on our network have a third rail running through them carrying enough electricity to seriously injure, or worse. Our trains also pass through them at speeds of up to 100mph.
“We hope that this latest video, showing examples of where people have risked their own safety at level crossings, will encourage people to use them responsibly and recognise the dangers of the railway.”
“Some children think the rail tracks look like tempting places to play”
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson said,
“Unfortunately we have seen too many times the tragic and life changing consequences of people ignoring the warnings of danger when being near the railway.
“Sadly some children think the rail tracks look like tempting places to play and don’t consider just how dangerous the tracks can be.
“BTP work with Network Rail to educate children and students at school of the dangers being near tracks and share some of the devastating real life stories from You vs Train such as Harrison’s story.
“Passengers and the public continue to be our eyes and ears and they can help us by reporting any concerns or incidents by texting us on 61016 or calling 0800 405040.”
News shared by Rob on behalf of Network Rail. Ed
