An oblivious young motorist who caused damage estimated at GB£0.15m when he drove through a lowered level crossing barrier has walked away from court with a fine of just GB£350. What’s more he managed to keep his driving licence. The incident happened at lunchtime on February 3rd, 2009 at the Knapton automatic half-barrier level crossing on the rail line linking York and Scarborough (LXinfo March 2009).

York Crown Court was told that low sun dazzled the motorist, even though it was lunchtime; and, the motorist was deafened by music on his car radio. The motorist, who was said to be travelling at between 30 and 35 mph on a straight road, failed to see the lights and lowered barrier nor hear the warning alarm, crashing through the barrier and into the side of a passing train.

The court heard that the 21-year-old was oblivious to the presence of the level crossing until he realised that a passenger train was actually passing through the level crossing, with the result that he braked too late to avoid a collision.

The Recorder told the motorist that his behaviour bordered on dangerous and that if he could not see because of the sun he should have stopped his car. Although the motorist could have been fined GB£5,000 and stripped of his driving licence, a sentence of just GB£350 and six penalty points was handed down. As a result, the motorist who was said to have caused GB£0.15m damage is still driving.

Somehow the motorist having to pay only a further GB£150 of prosecution costs and a GB£15 victim surcharge further trivialises the sanctions imposed relative to the potentially catastrophic consequences of this and any other collision between a road vehicle and a train.

The motorist was not seriously injured and there was no physical harm to anyone travelling on the train.

Peterborough, United Kingdom: Toddler died in “game of chase”

An inquest into the death of a two-year-old boy on the Fox Covert pedestrian level crossing, near Peterborough on September 7th, 2009 (LXinfo October 2009) heard that the little boy raced towards the crossing with his mother in pursuit, thinking it was a “game of chase”. The boy opened the gate and dashed onto the crossing – despite pleas to stop – into the path of a train, thus sustaining fatal injuries.

Weeks before this fatality, the gates protecting the crossing were modified with the catch removed because of concerns that people could be trapped on the level crossing if they needed to do more than push the outward opening gates. This action by Network Rail was endorsed by the Office of Rail Regulation, the safety regulator.

The Coroner accepted the jury’s verdict of accidental death and said that he would write to Network Rail asking if anything could be done to prevent a recurrence of this type of accident.

Subsequent to the inquest, calls have again been made for the Fox Covert level crossing to be replaced with a footbridge. These calls are best seen in the longer term strategy for the line linking Peterborough and Spalding. Currently there are 26 trains per day over the route but this number is likely to increase. Against this background discussions are ongoing between Network Rail and local authorities to determine what needs to be done to appropriately control risk.

Forres, United Kingdom: Pedestrian fatality, investigation ongoing

A man was killed when he was struck by a train on the Brodie automatic half-barrier crossing near Forres on the line linking Inverness and Aberdeen. The fatality which occurred during the morning of March 27th, 2010 is presently unexplained with a police investigation ongoing. British Transport Police is actively seeking witnesses.

(March 28th, 2010)

A train struck a car on a level crossing in Breuil-Le-Vert, Oise on March 25th, 2010 hospitalising the train driver with shock although the motorist walked away uninjured. The late afternoon collision has been attributed to the motorist being dazzled by the setting sun. Police have confirmed that the automatic half-barrier equipped level crossing was working correctly at the time of the accident

(March 26th, 2010)

The British Transport Police (BTP) have a long history of working to address road user abuse of level crossings. The latest manifestation of their approach is a nationwide initiative known as “Operation Galley”. This initiative was launched in July 2009 which combines enforcement activity at black spots and education of road users.

Leadership of Operation Galley is entrusted to Chief Inspector Gary Clark and Inspector Tom Naughton who have so far run more than 40 exercises with a concentration of activity in the last quarter of 2009 continuing into 2010. The philosophy behind Operation Galley is that it is intelligence led with input from a range of partners including Network Rail and citizens in the local community concerned about abuse of a local level crossing.

In the run up to Christmas 2009, 130 motorists were caught zig-zagging around barriers according to “the Line”, the BTP house magazine. Looking to the future, the latest issue of “the Line” identifies the possibility of BTP acquiring mobile photo-enforcement vans as used by a number of other forces in the United Kingdom as a complement to the probable greater use of fixed CCTV systems. Mobile photo-enforcement has previously used in the early 1990’s when the BTP North Eastern Area deployed a portable Vascar system to good effect.

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Caernarfon, United Kingdom: Seriously injured woman successfully prosecuted

A woman who was seriously injured when her car was hit by a train on the Beach Road active open level crossing in Fairbourne, Gwynedd, Wales, on June 27th, 2009 (LXinfo July 2009) received a further reminder of the risk of abusing a level crossing when she was successfully prosecuted.

The woman who lived locally admitted a lapse of concentration and pleaded guilty to an offence of careless driving was fined GB£150 and awarded three penalty points by Caernarfon Crown Court as well as GB£35 costs and GB£15 victim surcharge. Previously the case had been remitted to Crown Court by Dollgellau Magistrates Court to stand trial on a charge of dangerous driving.

Hungary: Passenger train in fatal collision with truck

A truck driver died of injuries sustained when his vehicle was hit by a passenger train of the KRESZ railway company. The accident which occurred on March 23rd, 2010 was at a passive level crossing and has been attributed to the inattention of the logging truck driver.

The level crossing in question is on the rail line linking Dicsőszentmárton and Szováta. Eyewitness accounts say that the truck driver approached the level crossing round a bend and was not in a position to stop before he reached the crossing. These same reports say that the truck driver was trying to reverse off the crossing when the accident occurred.

The truck driver was airlifted to hospital in Targu Mures. However, the truck driver succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the collision. No one travelling on the train was injured although the DMU partially derailed as a result of the collision

(March 24th, 2010)

Setubal, Portugal: Fatality on pedestrian level crossing

A man was killed when he was struck by a train on the Fontainhas pedestrian level crossing in Setubal. The accident occurred late morning on March 23rd, 2010. No explanation for the accident is available.

Cluj, Romania: Need to repair and upgrade crossings recognised

The Cluj regional out-base of Romania’s national rail infrastructure manager has admitted that many of the 878 level crossings for which it is responsible are in need of repair and in some cases an upgrade. However, progress is not as rapid as is liked because of budgetary constraints which dictate that only priority issues can be addressed.

One area where cutbacks have been felt is maintenance of the roadway over level crossings which, in some cases, have deteriorated to the extent that the uneven surfaces can damage vehicles and also increase the risk of vehicles becoming stranded on level crossings.

Motorists in Bistrita-Nasaud are now expressing their concerns through the media highlighting issues with both the roadway over the crossing itself and also the condition of the highway on the immediate approach to level crossings. The concern with the highway approach is mainly related to the emergence of a large number of potholes which have increased in number and severity over the winter of 2009-2010.

The infrastructure manager’s response to the situation centred on the available budget, the need for prioritisation and that most level crossing accidents are attributable to the behaviour of motorists rather than the condition of the level crossing roadway.

The argument that insufficient is being done to address the risks associated with level crossings is, the critics say, the accident history associated with Romania’s level crossings.

Network Rail’s submission of plans for a footbridge in North Sheen, London Borough of Richmond, has been welcomed by campaigners. For many years there has been pressure on Network Rail and its predecessors to provide a footbridge at the Manor Road level crossing because of the extended closures that the train service generates and the proximity of a primary school.

Currently the train service through the Manor Road level crossing generates a 32’40” closure to road in peak hours. Closures of this magnitude are a barrier to an increase in the proportion of children walking to school and also generate a culture of abuse by those who feel that they cannot wait for the barriers to rise. However if the Heathrow Airtrack scheme goes ahead this would,

according to BAA proposals (LXinfo August 2009), generate a closure to road of 39’ which equates to a 65% closure rate at peak times which would exacerbate the problems this crossing causes the community.

Subject to a timely grant of planning permission, Network Rail have indicated that the footbridge should be in place by the end of the year.

Badajoz, Spain: Another seven crossing to bite the dust

ADIF, Spain’s national rail infrastructure manager, has let a contract to develop plans to eliminate seven level crossings in the Province of Badajoz. The contract has a value of €0.3m over 12 months.

Three of the level crossings are on the line linking Ciudad Real and Badajoz. Two are located in the town of Cabeza del Buey and are automatic half barrier equipped. The third is an active open crossing in Castuera. The further four level crossings are to be found on the line linking Zafra with Huelva. Three of these crossings are automatic half-barrier equipped and are to be found in the municipality of Valencia del Ventoso. The fourth of these crossings is to be found in Sierra Fregenal.

(March 22nd, 2010)

Camnago, Italy: Decision to close crossing confirmed

RFI, Italy’s national rail infrastructure manager is to press ahead with the closure of the Via XXIV Maggio level crossing in Camnago, Milano, despite vigorous objections from civic and other affected parties. When the closure takes effect on May 31st, 2010, walls will be constructed to preclude pedestrian use of the former crossing as a short cut.

The original agreement to close the level crossing was concluded in 2003 in the context of the closure of the Camnago military base and the subsequent construction of an underpass linking via Don Carlo Gnocchi and via Padova which was opened in October 2009.

The objections to closure of the Via XXIV Maggio level crossing are that the alternative route inappropriate for cyclists and pedestrians who ought to have a limited use underpass at the site of the crossing to be closed.

(March 22nd, 2010)

Lorca, Spain: Works to eliminate the crossing underway

The project to eliminate the Suppress the Avenida Santa Clara level crossing in Lorca has been completed. In addition to improving safety, the replacement route across the railway will significantly improve road traffic flow. An investment of €1.6m was needed to eliminate the level crossing and replace it with an underpass over a period of tem months.

In total it is planned to eliminate 36 level crossings in the Region (LXinfo February 2009) as a component of the strategic intent to largely remove passive crossings on public roads.

(March 22nd, 2010)

Badajoz, Spain: Another seven crossing to bite the dust

ADIF, Spain’s national rail infrastructure manager, has let a contract to develop plans to eliminate seven level crossings in the Province of Badajoz. The contract has a value of €0.3m and a duration of 12 months.

Three of the level crossings are on the line linking Ciudad Real and Badajoz. Two are located in the town of Cabeza del Buey and are automatic half barrier equipped. The third is an active open crossing in Castuera. The further four level crossings are to be found on the line linking Zafra with Huelva. Three of these crossings are automatic half-barrier equipped and are to be found in the municipality of Valencia del Ventoso. The fourth of these crossings is to be found in Sierra Fregenal.

Baião, Portugal: Agreement to eliminate crossing reached

The agreement to eliminate the Aregos level crossing in Santa Cruz do Douro, Baião was concluded on March 20th, 2010. This will be the fourth crossing in the county to be addressed in the context of an over-arching agreement reached with REFER, Portugal’s national rail infrastructure manager. These works have an estimated cost of €0.33m. The elimination of the Aregos level crossing is itself estimated to cost €01.13m, largely this will be spent on constructing an access road linking to an alternative route across the railway.

(March 21st, 2010)

Bilbao, Spain: Elderly woman fatally injured in collision

An elderly woman was killed when she was hit by the train on a level crossing in Vizcaya. The accident occurred at a barrier equipped level crossing in Zaratamo Bilbao. This fatal accident occurred during the morning of March 20th, 2010 when the barriers were lowered to permit the passage of a train. Sources close to the investigation have said that the level crossing was functioning as intended at the time of the accident.

Post accident, the regional government reaffirmed their intent to eliminate level crossings on public highways whenever possible.

Dalfarber, United Kingdom: planning decision requires barriers

A planning appeal decision has made it plain that if a housing development is to go ahead it will be necessary for a level crossing to be upgraded at a cost of GB£0.15m or more. The level crossing in question is over the Strathspey Steam Railway in Dalfarber which is with the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.

The core of the appeal was a residential property development on which the Cairngorms National Park Authority had agreed outline planning approval but had failed to reach a decision on the conditions to which the development should be subject – what in planning circles is known as the Section 75 requirements. Although the appeal related to ten residential properties, the total number of new homes planned is 93. However, the upgrading of Dalfarber level crossing is now a condition precedent of the housing development.

The Dalfarber level crossing has a substantive accident history with two collisions with motor vehicles, including one in 2005. The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), the safety regulator, advised the appeal hearing that the level crossing should have additional protection. However, the appellants took a contra view on the grounds that the heritage rail operation was seasonal and infrequent. In reality the train timetable is irregular and to an extent unpredictable and that needs to be taken into account in determining the appropriate level of protection at the crossing.

The rejection of an open level crossing leading to an additional 93 residential properties has been welcomed by those who already use the level crossing. That a barrier is required is a direct function of the proposed development and logic suggests that the costs should be bone by those undertaking the development and not a heritage rail operator. Only time will tell whether other agencies contribute to what is likely to cost in excess of GB£0.15m. What is encouraging is that the cost estimates of installing an active barrier equipped level crossing are a lot lower than those suggested for upgrading the active open crossings that are found at 21 locations on Network Rail’s controlled infrastructure in the Scottish Highlands

(March 19th, 2010)

Burton-on-Trent: Closure stayed for now

Network Rail, Britain’s national rail infrastructure manager has now said that the pedestrian level crossing they had been seeking to close in the Branston district of Burton-on-Trent (LXinfo February 2010) will stay open for the foreseeable future. However, in the long term Network Rail would like to see the crossing closed.

The status of the level crossing in question is ambiguous with the railway’s view having been that it is a private right of way; whereas the user viewpoint is that it should be deemed a public right of way giving the long history of public use.

Utrecht, Netherlands: Second time lucky for co-acting barrier solution

Back in November 2009, ProRail the Dutch national rail infrastructure manager had to postpone the launch event to mark the introduction of the Mebala co-acting barriers at private level crossings (LXinfo December 2009). Now, the technical issues have been resolved and the system was successfully launched on March 19th, 2010.

The co-acting barriers replace free-standing gates on each side of the railway which, if used correctly, require a person taking a vehicle across to cross the railway five times; twice to open the gates, once to drive the vehicle across and then twice to close the gates. Thus Mebala reduces the number of transits to one which is clearly a much safer option for private level crossings.

ProRail’s Mebala level crossing is also equipped with solar powered LED lights which better warn users of the position of the level crossing at night and when visibility is restricted.

Mebala is still a passive safety system as it provides no warning of an approaching train, detection of which is down to the eyes and ear of the user.

The first Mebala equipped level crossing to be taken into service is at a private level crossing near Lunteren, Gelderland.

Belp, Switzerland: Petition against crossing induced traffic-jam

Citizens in Belp, Canton Bern, have launched a petition to express their disquiet at the extended delays and resultant traffic congestion which surround the operation of the Hohlenstrasse level crossing. Currently the level crossing is closed to road traffic for some 20 minutes in each hour. This, with the estimated 12,000 vehicles per day which pass over the railway via the Hohlenstrasse level crossing can cause traffic to block back to the town centre. The traffic congestion is compounded by the highway intersections adjacent to the level crossing.

The petition which has wide support, is not aligned with the interests of any political grouping, rather it is an indication of the shared frustration in Belp that despite the issue being on the table for many years, nothing has been done.

Now, the community’s concerns associated with this level crossing have taken on a new dimension with the petitioners demanding that the local council moves from historic inaction to develop plans for a comprehensive solution by 2012. Even this timetable will mean that congestion will increase when the local train service increases from two to four trains an hour in the autumn of 2011.

The Mayor’s response is that the petition has little credibility because it hasn’t been signed by enough people to give it credibility and in any event, with a spend of CFE2m likely to address traffic congestion in the growing community, the intensified train service needn’t be a big issue.

Domat/Ems, Switzerland: 83-year-old stands by car, but why?

An 83-year-old motorist was seriously injured when he was struck by a train on a level crossing in Domat/Ems, Canton Graubunden on March 17th, 2010. The accident was somewhat unusual as the man was standing beside his car which was between the lowered level crossing barriers. The accident is presently unexplained as it is not known why the car had stopped on the level crossing and why, if it could not be restarted, the motorist had not moved clear of the crossing on foot.

Sant Celoni, Spain: Underpass replaces the level crossing

The €3.4m project to construct an underpass to replace a level crossing in Sant Celoni on the railway line linking Barcelona with the French border has been completed.  However, work is ongoing to construct two pedestrian underpasses at a further cost of €1.2m.

These works are the latest in a string of projects to reduce the number of level crossings in Catalonia and where elimination is not possible to upgrade them. So far risk at 117 level crossings is being addressed by their elimination leaving another 107 to go.

(March 18th, 2010)

Mouguerre, France: Two dead in crossing collision

An elderly motorist and a passenger were killed when the vehicle in which they were travelling was struck by a train on the level crossing at the intersection of the road linking Mouguerre and Ibusty and the Bayonne to Pau railway line, Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The accident which occurred during the morning of March 17th, 2010 saw the motorist attempt to reverse clear of the level crossing when the approaching train was seen. However, the car was still foul of the swept envelope with what turned out to be fatal consequences.

(March 17th, 2010)

The completion of an underpass on Via Chioggia in Padova has been marked with a ceremony at which the mayor and a senior official from RFI, Italy’s national rail infrastructure manager, responsible for the level crossing elimination programme. A further five level crossings are being eliminated in the Padova area which join the 400 eliminated in the Veneto region since 1992.

The underpass replaces the level crossing on Via Choggia which was closed in July 2008 to allow construction of the replacement underpass to begin. The new underpass which is 11 metres wide provides for pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicular traffic for which there is a height restriction as the underpass provides a headroom of 3.5 metres.

Bridlington, United Kingdom: Truck trapped by crossing barriers

A truck managed to get stuck beneath lowering level crossing barriers at the Carnaby automatic half barrier level crossing, near Bridlington, North Yorkshire. The accident occurred during the morning of March 8th, 2010. It is believed that the truck driver proceeded to cross against the red lights. Trains delayed after lorry is trapped on level crossing

(March 8th, 2010)

A motorist safely evacuated hs car when it stalled on the Bellevuestrasse / Eisenbahnstrasse level crossing in Rorschach, Canton St Gallen. The incident which occurred during the afternoon of March 8th, 2010 has been estimated to have caused some CHF0.2m damage.

(March 8th, 2010)

The highways element of a proposed development on a brown field site close to the CCTV equipped level crossing in Lymington will be scrutinised at a public inquiry because the local authority failed to determine a planning application (LXinfo February 2010). The issue at the heart of the inquiry is not the substance of the planned development; rather, it is whether traffic lights or a roundabout will prevail.

Originally the plan was for traffic lights. However, this came with a nasty price tag because Network Rail said it would cost more than GB£1m. To link the level crossing lights with those on nearby Bridge Road giving access to the development. In light of this, the developer proposed a mini-roundabout. It is this proposal which New Forest District Council has not reached a conclusion that the public inquiry will address when it is convened on March 23rd, 2010.

A motorist died in a collision with a train which followed her overtaking two cars that were already at a stand for an approaching train. The accident occurred during the morning of March 6th at an automatic half barrier level crossing in Heustreu, Landkreis Rhön-Grabfeld, in the region of Lower Franconia. Police sources have confirmed that the level crossing was functioning correctly at the time of the accident. The train driver was taken to hospital suffering shock, none of the passengers travelling on the train were injured.

Wokingham, United Kingdom: Fatal accident at Waterloo Road crossing

A man was killed when the car in which he was travelling was struck by a train on the Waterloo Road automatic half barrier level crossing in Wokingham, Berkshire. The accident occurred during the morning of March 6th, 2010. Sources close to the investigation have said that the motorist had deliberately positioned his car on the level crossing and that they believed the death to be intentional. However, this cannot be determined definitively until a coroner’s inquest is concluded.

A train travelling at 120 kph hit a car on a level crossing in Monéteau, Yonne with fatal consequences. The circumstances surrounding the accident, which happened at lunchtime on March 5th, 2010, are unclear. However, it has been established that the automatic half-barrier level crossing was functioning correctly when the 93-year-old motorist found himself in the path of the train.
                     
(March 5th, 2010)

Abbiate, Italy: Pedestrian underpass as a route to closure

Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM) has developed plans that will in due course lead to the abolition of the level crossing linking vias Fiume and Vittorio Veneto in Abbiate. The plans call for the construction of a pedestrian underpass as a joint FNM and regional government project.

It is FNM policy to progressively eliminate all public level crossings of its right of way with construction of alternative access appropriate to the location in question. Thus, once the pedestrian underpass is constructed the focus will shift to providing an acceptable alternative route for vehicular traffic

Wasbek, Germany: Eight year campaign brings results

A campaign to secure an upgrade to an active open level crossing in Wasbek, Landkreis Rendsburg-Eckernförde, has borne fruit after eight years. The level crossing in question is located on Schulstraße and it now looks as if the installation of barriers will take place later in 2010 despite them first being promised two years ago, the delay being a result of the time taken to get the involved parties to agree what is to be done and at whose expense. The estimated costs of €0.5m will be shared between the fereral government, Deutsche Bahn and the highways authority.

The level crossing has both a fatal accident history and is much used by children on their way to and from school.

Marœuil, France: Uneven surface claims life of a cyclist

A cyclist died when he was thrown from his bike on the Rue De La Gare level crossing in Marœuil near Arras in the Nord-Pas de Calais Region. The accident occurred when a group of friends were out for a Sunday morning ride when they encountered pot holes and an uneven roadway.

The accident was possibly exacerbated because the cyclist who had raced in the Tour de France as a younger man was not wearing a helmet.

A male pedestrian was seriously injured when struck by a train while crossing the Station Road, Barlaston, level crossing near Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, during the morning of March 2nd, 2010. The victim was airlifted to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery on leg and chest injuries.

This latest accident in which the pedestrian received serious injuries comes nearly a year after a young man was killed on this CCTV equipped full barrier level crossing.