Lxinfo - Europe

United Kingdom: Safety body addresses CCTV equipped crossings in engineering possessions
The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has drawn attention to incidents involving movements over CCTV level crossings within a possession. RSSB says that since September 2007 there have been a number of incidents of rail movements proceeding over CCTV level crossings within possessions without the correct authorities. Most of these appeared to relate to a Person in Charge of Possession (PICOP) or Engineering Supervisor (ES) authorising a movement to take place past the signal protecting the crossing before the barriers had been lowered, despite the rule (and the non-compliance before it) requiring the PICOP or ES to obtain the signaller's assurance that the barriers have been lowered and that the crossing is clear before allowing the train to pass the protecting signal. This issue was discussed in great depth by the Operations Focus Group (OFG) at its February 2010 meeting and an initiative was taken to progress the proposal to develop briefing documents for the industry. In order to do this a cross-industry sub-group, led by RSSB, was set up. It was agreed by the OFG sub group that three separate briefing documents were required to be developed to ensure that there would be no dubiety or misunderstanding regarding other people's duties. The three audiences identified are: Planners Those giving movement authority (such as ES & PICOP) Train drivers and On Track Machine (OTM) operators		The decision was taken for Network Rail to provide the document for planners because they need to comply with their company standards NR/L3/NDS303. The guidance to 'people authorising rail movements and for people driving trains or controlling on-track plant' has now been completed and circulated by Network Rail. It has also been made available on the RSSB managed Opsweb site: www.opsweb.co.uk. For further information please contact Susan Cassidy at: susan.cassidy@rssb.co.uk (August 1st, 2010)

Somma Lombardo, Italy: Decision to eliminate crossing taken before public consultation
Concerns are being raised in Somma Lombardo that a decision to taken to eliminate a level crossing without first there being a period in which local residents, businesses and others affected by the planned closure could have their say. Perhaps the most strident comment comes from the political opposition which has accused the mayor of agreeing closure and putting money into the coffers without thinking through the impact of the level crossing being eliminated and before a public meeting on July 26th, 2010. Openness that a decision has been taken might have raised the hackles of some. However, it is the decision to go ahead with a public meeting as if no decision had been taken that really rankles with many. It appears that the deadline for payment of a grant of €0.8m is October 31st, 2010 and for this to occur, the need for a decision to have been taken by July 31st, 2010, to make and order permanently close the road. However, correspondence doesn’t seem to back up this version of events as the railway authorities do not appear to have issued any ultimatum that would force the municipality to have made the highway closure order by July 31st, 2010.		The fait accompli should translate into closure of the level crossing by September 30th, 2010 and a pedestrian underpass and highway alterations around the end of the year. Many cannot understand the willingness of the local authority to agree a closure of the crossing before the replacement pedestrian and vehicular routes are in place. (July 31st, 2010)

Wem, United Kingdom: Remote supervision for problem crossing?

The level crossing in Wem, Shropshire, has a poor reputation because of the regular road user abuse from motorists who think that they should ignore the red lights and dodge under the lowering barriers which are presently controlled from the adjacent signal box.

In the week that Network Rail said there was to be a meeting with the community to discuss the company’s plans to control the crossing remotely using CCTV cameras, two motorists were appearing before Market Drayton Magistrates’ Court in connection with level crossing offences of which they were found to be guilty.

The plan to re-signal the Crewe to Shrewsbury railway line is causing some Wem officials and residents concern not just because of the user-abuse issues at the crossing but also because they are concerned that closure to road times may be extended with the potential to delay the response of the emergency services.

(July 30th, 2010)

Fredrikstad, Norway: Investigating if crossing death was accidental or intentional
An investigation is on-going to establish if a fatality on a level crossing near Fredrikstad was accidental or intentional. Some have questioned the idea that the death was other than intentional because it is so evident that a train is approaching and therefore that it is unsafe to cross. Others have argued that many accidents on level crossings occur as a result of a momentary lapse of concentration and that therefore it is unwise to jump to the conclusion that the fatality was intentional. (July 29th, 2010)

London, United Kingdom: Rail regulator notes level crossing initiatives
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) Health and Safety Report 2009 addresses the state of the nation in so far as level crossings are concerned. As might be expected the level crossing section of the report is focused primarily on the issues associated with level crossings on the national rail infrastructure managed by Network Rail. The ORR report commends Network Rail’s education programme with hard-hitting and effective media campaigns has been impressive. Similarly, ORR has commended Network Rail’s work to close level crossings which gathered pace with excellent progress to identify over 400 relevant crossings, negotiate closures and alternative routes with users, and remove key risk interfaces with the network. ORR says it remains concerned at the need for consistently effective risk assessment at level crossings, ensuring proper consideration of likely user behaviour and providing users with the right information to be able to cross safely. This is a theme that has arisen in various RAIB investigations and accords with ORR’s own inspection findings. ORR says that some frontline staff in Network Rail do not appreciate that their All Level Crossings Risk Model provides useful prioritisation information but does not itself deliver a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. ORR says more effective action is needed to ensure that risk assessment findings, and those which arise during six-monthly inspections, are implemented in a timely manner. Failure to implement such control measures to maximise sighting and give time to cross safely, or to install other design changes, has been a feature in a number of fatalities that ORR has investigated.		The ORR report draws attention to the risks at automatic open crossings (where the user is instructed not to cross by road traffic signals alone) which were brought into focus by a tragic triple fatality in the north of Scotland and the publication of RAIB’s report into another fatality in Cumbria. ORR says that Network Rail responded well to ORR advice for more concerted action at the 120 relevant crossings across the network, checking the currency of its user census data (making a small number of minor changes to line speed as a result) and stepped up the pace to ensure the flashing red road signals (known as wig-wags) were all fitted with more intense LED or halogen bulbs. The ORR says that the company has also made good progress exploring more innovative solutions in some locations, by, for example, fitting barriers at a reasonable cost The ORR Health and Safety report 2009 can be found at:http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/HealthSafetyReport2010.pdf (July 28th, 2010)

Ede, Netherlands: Cyclist killed on passive crossing
A cyclist was killed on the Doolhoflaan passive level crossing in Ede, near Arnhem, during the afternoon of July 26th, 2010. Although a police investigation is on-going, a police source has said that the cyclist did not stop as required, cycling straight into the path of a passenger train. As it has already been agreed that the Doolhoflaan level crossing will be upgraded to active status with lights and barriers both the municipality and ProRail, the Dutch national rail infrastructure manager are understood to consider that intermediate remedial action is not required. (July 28th, 2010)

Cambre, Spain: Five more level crossings are to be eliminated
A contract has been awarded to eliminate five level crossings in Galicia. Three of the level crossings in question are in the municipality of Cambre (A Coruña) and two in the municipality of Catoira (Pontevedra). Those in Cambre are on the line linking Palencia and A Coruña. Those in Catoira are on the line linking Redondela-Santiago de Compostela. ADIF, Spain’s national rail infrastructure manager, has set a budget of €1.662m for the works which are to be complete in seven months. The works involve the construction of three grade separated pedestrian routes across the railway, linking highways and removal of the crossings. (July 28th, 2010)

Bad Segeberg, Germany: Woman crosses to her death when barriers lowered
A 62-year-old woman strolled to her death as she pushed her bicycle by a lowered level crossing barrier. The accident happened at a level crossing in Bad Segeberg, Rheinland-Pfalz on July 28th, 2010. An on-going police investigation is seeking to establish why the woman crossed despite the level crossing being closed to road traffic at the time. (July 28th, 2010)

Warminster, United Kingdom: Dog implicated in level crossing fatality
A dog has been implicated in the death of a 71-year-old man on the Sherrington Lane level crossing near Warminster, Wiltshire. It is understood that the man who was struck by a train on July 14th, 2010, had crossed safely and then moved back onto the crossing to retrieve his dog which was also killed when hit by the train. The man had parked near the level crossing prior to walking his dog which it is understood was not on a lead. (July 27th, 2010)

Isle of Grain, United Kingdom: Upgrade to counter abuse contemplated
A level crossing on the Isle of Grain in Kent which is subject to continuing abuse by motorists who ignore the red lights installed at the crossing which is also protected by gates operated by train crew. Although enforcement action continues to be taken by the British Transport Police, railway sources have said that Network Rail, the national rail infrastructure manager, is contemplating upgrading the crossing to automatic half-barrier status. However, while Network Rail recognises the risks to those who are exposed to errant road-users and has installed CCTV to monitor the crossing, it has not confirmed that the crossing is to be further upgraded. (July 26th, 2010)		Ignoring the red lights, source Network Rail

Manchester, United Kingdom: 59% don’t recognise level crossing sign
Research by Swinton Insurance has found that 59% of motorists don’t recognise a level crossing warning sign. Swinton determined this by way of an on-line survey of 1,000 of their customers who were asked to identify eight road signs. Overall male motorists had a success rate of 85% and women 71%. In addition to a worryingly low score of 41% for the level crossing warning sign, only 8% correctly identified the meaning of the sign for a risk of grounding.		Steve Chelton, Insurer Development Manager for Swinton car insurance, said: "This survey has uncovered some rather startling results. All drivers should have comprehensive knowledge of the Highway Code and be able to recognise every single road sign, especially warning signs such as Level Crossing”. Clearly it is time for everyone to brush-up on their knowledge of the Highway Code. (July 26th, 2010)

Lincoln, United Kingdom: MP and Network Rail in dialogue
The on-going debate between Karl McCartney, the Member of Parliament for Lincoln, and Network Rail has moved onto national radio with the BBC’s Radio Two broadcasting a segment in the Jeremy Vine show on July 22nd, 2010. This concerned Network Rail’s plans which Mr McCartney says will close the High Street level crossing for 40 minutes in every hour. Network Rail’s riposte is that this isn’t a figure they recognise. Jeremy Vine picked up on the issue of the level crossing following a speech in the House of Commons in which Mr McCartney said Lincoln is “held to ransom by Network Rail, who are currently threatening the city with the closure of this level crossing for up to 40 minutes in the hour throughout the day to enable freight trains, which are of no benefit to Lincoln, to pass through.” Network Rail has on-going discussions with the City of Lincoln Council and the highways authorities to develop a solution which would improve road traffic flows, ease access for pedestrians and improve safety. The urban context makes either an over-bridge or underpass difficult to execute for other than pedestrians. McCartney said more freight trains coming through the city would have a negative impact on Lincoln, and pointed to proposed plans for a relief East-West link road which would alleviate only some of the traffic problems created by the level crossings. Network Rail’s representative and Mr McCartney are expected to meet again soon. (July 24th, 2010)		Karl McCartney MP

Lincoln, United Kingdom: Faulty gate mechanism leaves gate in path of train
An accident in which a driver was injured when his train hit a partly-open gate at a level crossing outside Lincoln, was probably caused by a faulty gate stop, according to an investigation by the Department for Transport’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). In the early morning of February 20th, 2010, a train from Sheffield to Lincoln, struck the up-side gate at the manned Stow Park level crossing. The timber crossing gate was destroyed by the collision and the upper rail of the gate penetrated the cab of the train causing minor injuries to the driver’s legs. The RAIB’s investigation found that the up-side gate was not securely held in position across the road because there was insufficient overlap between the front-tumbler part of the gate stop and the bottom corner of the gate. The gate had therefore been able to swing back into the path of the train. The signaller’s view of the gate stop was restricted by a mirror mounted on a backboard outside the signal box to allow observation of the road. An inspection by Network Rail in 2008 found that some of the gate cranks were worn and, as a result, rodding and gate stops were renewed in November 2008. Following this, Network Rail maintenance staff experienced difficulty in maintaining the gate stop and gate so that the gate was securely held by the stop, and at the same time did not drag on the road surface. Three times (in May, August and December 2009) the gates and/or stops were adjusted to try and correct this problem in response to a reported fault.		According to the RAIB, the probable cause of the accident was that the travel of the gate stop had been reduced when the crank was replaced and it no longer rose sufficiently far above the surface of the road to reliably prevent the gate from being able to ride over the gate stop and swing back across the railway. The full RAIB bulletin can be found at: http://www.raib.gov.uk /cms_resources.cfm?file=/Bulletin%20(Stow%20Park)% 2010-2010.pdf (July 23rd, 2010)
		Crossing gate penetration into driving cab, source RAIB

Benevento, Italy: Motorist’s lucky escape during rail maintenance closure
A motorist was injured when his car was struck by a train on a level crossing in the Acquafredda district of Benevento, Campania. What makes this accident unusual is that it occurred at a level crossing of a railway line closed for maintenance. The motorist entered the level crossing when the barriers were raised and the car was then struck by a locomotive being used in connection with the railway maintenance. It has been reported that the locomotive was being conducted by a railway official. Fortunately, the motorist received only minor injuries. This accident is subject to an on-going railway investigation and also one led by the police. (July 23rd, 2010)

Calatayud, Spain: ADIF eliminates another level crossing
ADIF, Spain’s national rail infrastructure manager, continues to make good progress in eliminating level crossings across the country. The latest announcement from ADIF marks the elimination of the level crossing in Embid de la Riviera, Calatayud, and replacement of it with an overpass. Notwithstanding the success so far in reducing the number of level crossings in Calatayud, civic leaders would now like to see the level crossing on highway CV-601 taken out of use and replaced with a grade separated alternate route across the railway.		He case for eliminating the level crossing on highway CV-601 is the levels of road traffic now using this highway, the alignment of the road and limited visibility that results from this. (July 23rd, 2010)

Kaluga, Russia: 50% of level crossings not up to standard
Inspectors looking at level crossing across Kaluga Oblast to the south-west of Moscow have determined that 50% of the province’s level crossings are in some way deficient. In many cases the deficiencies relate to uneven roadway surfaces across the railway right-of-way leaving authorities potentially liable when an accident occurs. Singled out for particular attention is the level crossing on Karl Liebknecht Street in Kaluga City. (July 23rd, 2010)

Kőszegfalva, Hungary: Fatal accident on open crossing
A 28-year-old motorist was killed when the car he was driving was struck by a train on an open level crossing in Kőszegfalva, Kőszeg. The accident which occurred during the evening of July 22nd, 2010 derailed the locomotive. Residents are again asking when they can expect the level crossing to be upgraded to a barrier equipped status as the road is now quite busy and in their eyes an open crossing is no longer appropriate. (July 22nd, 2010)

United Kingdom: Law Commissions publish consult on level crossing legislation

Level crossings present the largest single risk of catastrophic train accident in Great Britain.

In a consultation launched on July 22nd, 2010 the Law Commissions of England and Wales and of Scotland are seeking views on how the legislative framework governing the use, management and, where appropriate, closure of level crossings can be improved and safety risks reduced.

Regulators, owners and operators of Britain’s 8,000 level crossings who want to modernise crossings and enhance safety, struggle to do so within a framework of laws that are out-dated, complex and hard to understand.

The Commissions have examined the laws covering level crossings from the widest angle, reviewing the laws that govern health and safety, highways and roads, land, planning, crime and disability discrimination, as well as railway law. They are keen to hear comments on topics such as rights of way, access to land, signage and disability issues, as well as ideas on how to encourage greater collaboration among those with an interest in level crossings.
The aim is to recommend reforms that will create:

more efficient and cost-effective ways of operating, modernising and, where appropriate, closing crossings
a better, more coherent safety regime
greater balance between the interests of rail and road users
modern solutions for regulating risk.

The document proposes a new procedure for level crossing closure orders to allow for closure of both private and public level crossings.

The powers available would include: compulsory purchase and stopping up and diversion of highways/roads. The railway operator, highway/roads authority, planning authority, ORR, and others would be able to apply for an order, which would be made by the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers or the Welsh Ministers, as appropriate.

The procedure should include strict time limits to enhance predictability. Proposals for closure could be made with or without replacement. The Commissioners provisionally think that there should be a list of criteria for the decision-maker to take into account in determining an application for closure, but they ask consultees for views.

The report also suggests that the current regulatory regime should be reformed as it does not sufficiently recognise the potentially competing interests affecting level crossings and does not adequately cater for all level crossings.

And it proposes that the regulation of safety at level crossings should be governed entirely by the general scheme of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974.

The regulatory regime should include appropriate and proportionate procedures for the permanent closure of level crossings including extinguishing rights of way over crossings with or without diversion or replacement by a bridge or underpass. Such procedures should allow the economic costs and benefits in relation to each level crossing to be taken into account in reaching a decision about closure or replacement. Economic analysis should not, however, be the only criteria taken into consideration.

Should there be a list of factors to be taken into account in considering an application for a level crossing closure order? The Commissioners would welcome the views of consultees on the following list of factors:

Safety of users of the crossing (including information as to the incidence of accidents at the level crossing)
Costs involved in maintenance of the crossing compared with costs involved in closing or closing and replacing the crossing

The effect of closure as opposed to retention (in the case of public level crossings) on the efficiency of the rail and road networks
The effect (in the case of public level crossings) on the integrity of the network of non-vehicular public rights of way
The effect of closure compared to retention of the crossing on the local community
The effect on those holding private rights over the crossing
The usability of the level crossing or its potential alternatives for all level crossing users
The convenience of level crossing users; and the effect on the environment and local amenity.

Another area where the Law Commissions are seeking input is whether or not there should be a requirement for road and rail authorities to enter into safety interface agreements as are taking hold in Australia.

Sir James Munby, the Chairman of the Law Commission for England and Wales, said: “It is no longer appropriate that the legal framework for level crossings should be based on 19th century private legislation. We need to find ways of bringing level crossing law into line with modern legislation.”
Professor George Gretton of the Scottish Law Commission added: “The law of level crossings may be an obscure branch of the law, but level crossings cause very real problems both for the railways and for road users, vehicular and non-vehicular.
“Until now the law has never been subject to a general review. This gives us an opportunity to put the law into a satisfactory shape. We very much hope to hear the views of individuals and organisations about what the law should look like in the future.”

The Commissions seek responses by November 30th, 2010. The consultation paper, “Level Crossings”, can be found on the Law Commissions’ websites at: http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/level_crossings.htm and http://www.scotlawcom.gov.uk/html/discussion_papers.php

Villena, Spain: Fatal accident adjacent to active level crossing
A man died taking a short cut across the railway immediately adjacent to an active half-barrier level crossing at which the warning lights and barriers had closed the road. Logic suggests that with the level crossing controls active because of an approaching train, the trespasser should have been aware of the train. The accident happened right next to the Calle la Virgen level crossing in Villena on July 21st, 2010. It is reported that the victim lived locally and was resident at a nearby mental health facility. However, this is not the first fatality adjacent to this level crossing as a teenager was killed in similar circumstances several years ago. (July 22nd, 2010)

Llanelli, United Kingdom: Opposition to crossing elimination shapes up
Community leaders have vowed to fight plans to close the level crossing on Glanmor Road in Llanelli. Network Rail says it wants to shut the crossing, which is used by around 900 vehicles and 1,500 pedestrians a day who would be diverted over the nearby crossing in Station Road to make financial savings and improve safety. But town councillors are objecting, saying the company has not taken account of plans to open a new school on nearby Copperworks Road and the traffic issues that could be created. Network Rail has also said they are required to deliver a better performing, more cost-effective railway and that the equipment at Llanelli West crossing is coming to the end of its life-cycle.		Under the plans the crossing at Station Road would be monitored from the signalling centre in Port Talbot. Network Rail said there had been more than 140 incidents of motorists and pedestrians ignoring warning lights in the past six months in Llanelli. Mr Gallagher said information was being passed to British Transport Police, with 15 prosecutions to date and more in the pipeline. (July 21st, 2010)

Cuneo, Italy: Something must be done to address road traffic delays
The Sulla Fossana-Cuneo level crossing near Centallo is infamous for miles around as a cause of road traffic tailing back throughout the day. The debate surrounding the crossing centres on the willingness of the provincial authorities and RFI, the national rail infrastructure manager, to work together to develop a cost-effective solution. The provincial government and the affected municipalities share a common purpose that the level crossing should go. However, in their eyes, RFI has shown no commitment to eliminate the level crossing other than as a component of a longer-term doubling of the rail tracks. Now letters are flying around as attempts are once again made to find a route to eliminating the crossing within the framework of cooperation with RFI that has allowed Italy to eliminate many level crossings in recent years. (July 21st, 2010)		Centallo, Cuneo: the infamous level crossing

Saag am Wörthersee, Austria: Collision with truck on crossing
A train collided with a truck on a level crossing in Saag am Wörthersee on July 21st, 2010. Despite the force of the impact no one was injured in the collision on an active open level crossing. Police sources have said that the truck driver failed to see the red lights requiring road traffic to stop for an approaching train. In the ensuing road traffic congestion there was a further accident in which a car struck and seriously injured two cyclists. (July 21st, 2010)

Lunel-Viel, France: TGV collides with a truck full of shampoo
A TGV operating over the conventional rail network hit a truck laden with shampoo on a level crossing in Lunel-Viel, Hérault. The collision which occurred at lunchtime on July 21st, 2010 led to a large scale spillage of the shampoo. The accident seriously disrupted rail traffic between Montpellier and Nimes. (July 21st, 2010)

Zorroza, Spain: Study under-way to address “most difficult” crossing
Regional rail system provider FEVE has commissioned a study to develop options to address the future of the level crossing in the centre of Zorroza near Bilbao. The study is challenging as it is generally felt that elimination of this level crossing is perhaps the “most difficult to achieve” on the FEVE system, and in some eyes one of the most difficult in the country. The study will consider four options and identify the likely costs of each in order that there can be an informed discussion between civic and rail authorities and an opportunity for public comment. Locally, a solution that buries the railway is favoured. However, a key decision is the length of the tunnel that will be required. Plans call for the optioneering to be complete and a decision taken as to the favoured option by February 2011. (July 20th, 2010)

Oudesluis, Netherlands: High-speed collision proves fatal
A motorist was killed when the car in which he was travelling was struck by a passenger train running at 100 kph. The accident occurred on an active crossing equipped with lights and barriers in Oudesluis between Den Helder and Schagen during the morning of July 20th, 2010. It is not known why the motorist circumvented the level crossing controls. (July 20th, 2010)

Moreton-on-Lugg, United Kingdom: Arrest follows fatal crossing collision

A man (believed to be the signaller on duty at the time of the collision) has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following a fatal crash on a level crossing in Herefordshire six months ago.

A woman aged 52 died after being hit by a train at Moreton-on-Lugg (LXinfo January and May 2010). The barriers at the level crossing were up when her car crossed the track.
A signalman was later suspended by Network Rail, as standard procedure.

British Transport Police (BTP) has confirmed that a 40-year-old man has been arrested. He has since been released on bail while investigations continue.

The woman, a hairdresser from Marden, was a passenger in one of two cars on the crossing at the time. A mother and her 11-year-old daughter in the second car suffered minor injuries.

(July 19th, 2010)

British Transport police logo

Arezzo, Italy: Two-and-a-half year wait for grade separated solution
While it now appears clear that the level crossing in Arezzo will be eliminated, citizens have heard that they will have to wait for two-and-a-half years before they have a grade separated pedestrian route across the railway along with a n alternative route for vehicular traffic. The solution is as previously agreed between local and regional governments and RFI. These parties have also agreed to share the costs of approximately 1 km of new highway linking to a road over-bridge to the west of Arezzo and a pedestrian subway at the site of the level crossing. (July 19th, 2010)

Lorsch, Germany: MP3 player implicated in fatal accident
A cyclist died on a level crossing in Lorsch, Landkreis Bergstraße, as a result of being hit by a train of which he was unaware because he was listening to music on a MP3 player through headphones. The accident happened mid-afternoon on July 19th, 2010 and occurred despite the train driver repeatedly sounding the train horn to warn a group of cyclists and making an emergency brake application.		Only days before on July 16th, another cyclist listening to music through headphones was seriously injured in a collision on an automatic half-barrier equipped level crossing in Wetteraukreis near Bad Vibel (July 19th, 2010)

Serres, Greece: Eighty-year-old cyclist fatally injured on level crossing
An eighty-year-old cyclist was fatally injured when he was struck by a train on a level crossing 800 metres from the Serres rail station on the railway right-of-way linking Thessaloniki with the Turkish border en route to Istanbul. The accident which occurred during the morning of July 15th, 2010 has been attributed to the cyclist’s deafness which meant he had not heard the approaching train when he took the decision to walk his bicycle across the level crossing. Railway and police investigations are on-going. (July 16th, 2010)

Athens, Greece: IMF austerity measures hit level crossing projects
A consequence of the financial austerity agreed by the Greek Government in exchange for loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the shelving of a number of projects to reduce the number of level crossings in urban centres across Greece. This decision is attracting criticism because these projects are of relatively low financial cost and high in “quality of life” for those who would benefit from he elimination of these level crossings. The Union of Municipalities is attempting to exert leverage on the central government although there is no sense that a more favourable view of these projects will be taken. (July 15th, 2010)

Amersfoort, Netherlands: Police intervene to prevent an intended death
An off-duty police officer in Amersfoort has been commended for quick thinking as a result of him intervening to prevent a citizen from taking their own life on a level crossing. The incident on the Barchman Wuytierslaan level crossing occurred on July 6th, 2010 when the person who wished to kill themselves had parked a car on the level crossing straddling the tracks. The motorist was locked in the car and wouldn’t cooperate as the police officer sought to push the car off the track when the barriers lowered and he realised that the car had been intentionally positioned on the railway.		At this point the police officer smashed a car window and with the help of two passers-by pulled the motorist from the car and clear of the railway. Having seen the obstruction, the train driver brought the train to a stand short of the level crossing. The person who is said to have intended to take their own life was detained as an in-patient in hospital. (July 18th, 2010)

Vila Praia de Anchor, Portugal: Demonstration to oppose closure
Closure of the Travessa do Teatro level crossing in Vila Praia de Anchor has not been welcomed by some sections of the community who organised a demonstration against the decision to eliminate the level crossing and bar the way with a concrete wall to prevent trespass at the site of the crossing. Opposition comes from both residents and businesses who have said they will challenge the legitimacy of the decision of REFER, the national rail infrastructure manager, and the municipality to close the crossing. (July 8th, 2010)

Salerno, Italy: Dislodged crossing barrier kills a pedestrian
A 74-year-old pedestrian was killed in an unusual accident on a level crossing in Salerno. It appears that a truck dislodge a level crossing barrier as passed the pedestrian who was hit by the falling barrier with fatal consequences. An ironic component of this story is that the pedestrian was headed to a nearby cemetery. (July 8th, 2010)

York, United Kingdom: Police mount two-day safety drive at crossing and nearby school
Dangers of level crossings were driven home during a two-day-long safety campaign at the Millfield Lane level crossing in Nether Poppleton, York Officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) spent two days at the level crossing, talking to people about the danger of using the crossing incorrectly. They also visited nearby Manor School to spread the safety message to pupils. Leaflets carrying safety advice were delivered to 250 homes and 20 businesses in the area because some people are still putting their lives on the line by ignoring warning lights and sirens and trying to dash through crossings when trains are approaching. Meanwhile, BTP and North Yorkshire Police have teamed up with Network Rail and Manor Church of England Comprehensive School, to highlight dangers of not crossing the track properly in Nether Poppleton. Sgt Matt Popple, of the British Transport Police, said: "Safety at the busy level crossing is a top priority for us. A third of the students at Manor School live in the village of Poppleton and use the crossing to reach the school. Vicki Smith, community safety manager at Network Rail, said: "We need pupils to realise the danger they would put themselves in if they ignore the warnings at the crossing." (July 7th, 2010)

Carregal Sal, Portugal: Grade separation eliminates dangerous crossing
The project to eliminate the dangerous level crossing in the village of Oliveirinha, Carregal Sal, has been completed with the opening of a new grade separated intersection of road and rail. Locally, there have been many calls for the elimination of the level crossing over the years because of the accident history associated with it, in particular collisions between trains and road vehicles but also those associated with the uneven road surface over the railway right-of-way. The new road involves a diversion of the highway of approximately 170 metres from the erstwhile level crossing. While there are clear advantages for the railway and those driving road vehicles along National Highway 337; there are those who see the diversion as unacceptable for pedestrians and cyclists who argue that there should have been a pedestrian underpass at the site of the former level crossing. The contract for the elimination of the level crossing and construction of the underpass was let on September 30th, 2009 at a value of €0,530m. (July 7th, 2010)		Oliveirinha grade separation

Winterswijk, Netherlands: Train derailed in passive crossing collision
A truck was struck by a train on the Hüttenweg passive level crossing in Meddo, Winterswijk during the morning of July 6th, 2010. Both the driver of the train and a passenger were injured. Significant damage to the truck, the train which was derailed and railway infrastructure precluded a resumption of rail services between Doetinchem and Winterswijk until July 7th, 2010.		The truck which was loaded was delivering building materials to a property accessed via the Hüttenweg level crossing. At the time of the collision the tractor unit was clear of the railway and the impact was between the train and the traler laden with steel reinforcing bars. (July 7th, 2010)

Pencoed, United Kingdom: Pram rolls under lowered crossing barrier
A grandmother has described the terrifying moment she was knocked into the path of a train while rescuing her granddaughter at a controversial level crossing in Pencoed, Bridgend, Wales. Only quick thinking from the 63-year-old saved the life of her 15-month-old granddaughter as her pram rolled under a lowering barrier at the automated crossing. The grandmother branded the crossing on Hendre Road a “tragedy waiting to happen” and called for the crossing to be staffed The woman claims she was knocked onto the tracks by a crossing barrier as it lowered, without adequate warning from sirens or lights.		The near-miss comes three years after a manned signal box was removed and replaced by CCTV controls operated from the Signaling Centre in Port Talbot, despite public protests. Network Rail, which is investigating the incident, revealed there had been seven incidents at the crossing in 2009 alone, and a town councillor has called for an investigation into its safety. (July 7th, 2010)

Montrichard, France: Second accident in three weeks brings down the overhead
For the second time in a little over three weeks rail traffic through Montrichard near Tours has been disrupted by a road vehicle bringing down a portal structure onto the railway traction current system over the level crossing. In the first incident a truck became wedged under the structure blocking the level crossing in the process. On the latest occasion the portal structure was dislodged and had to be cleared by a crane with significant disruption to both road and rail traffic.		The portal structure is designed to protect the crossing from vehicles over four metres in height. (July 6th, 2010)

La Serna, Spain: Concerns over passive crossing gather momentum
Despite years of saying that a passive level crossing in La Serna is unsafe there has hitherto been no success in obtaining any commitment to upgrade the crossing adjacent to the Santa Cruz de Iguña railway station to an automatic half-barrier configuration However, now there is a degree of optimism that the rail authorities can be persuaded of the case for providing greater protection for road users than is possible with a stop sign alone. This is because it is believed that there is now recognition that there are passive and open active level crossings between Iguña and Molledo in Cantabria in need of upgrading. (July 6th, 2010)

Remicourt, Belgium: Truck brings down traction current system
A truck brought down the railway traction current system over a level crossing in Remicourt bringing rail traffic to a stand between Liege and Landen. The incident occurred during the morning of July 5th, 2010. The circumstances behind the accident were that the truck had completed delivering timber but the truck-mounted crane was not stowed with the result that it came into contact with the railway overhead electrification installation. (July 5th, 2010)

Enfield Lock, United Kingdom: 30 motorists face prosecution for level crossing offences
A month-long crackdown on people misusing the level crossing at Enfield Lock, London saw 30 drivers facing the possibility of prosecution after being caught ignoring the warning signs, lights and barriers. Network Rail targeted crossing users at Enfield Lock as the crossing is in the top-ten nationwide when it comes to misuse. Common offences committed include everything from children ducking under the closed barriers, to drivers getting stuck on the crossing after ignoring warning lights and trying to drive across as the barriers closed. Last year 13 people lost their lives in Britain after taking a risk at a rail crossing. Four safety awareness events were held at Enfield Lock throughout June as part of Network Rail’s Don’t Run the Risk campaign, which aims to combat level crossing misuse, save lives and keep trains running. Support came from British Transport Police, Metropolitan Police Service, National Express East Anglia and London Borough of Enfield. The team monitored the crossing and spoke with motorists and pedestrians about misuse and offered advice and information on how to stay safe on the railway. Leaflets were also handed out that spell out the chilling truth that taking a chance at a level crossing might be the last thing you do, and posed the question, ‘Would it kill you to wait?’. Covert observations carried out at Enfield Lock by Network Rail earlier in the year recorded more than 300 offences committed by pedestrians and motorists during the morning and evening rush hours in a single working week, equating to an offence roughly every ninety seconds at peak times. (July 5th, 2010)

Beccles, United Kingdom: Ten-year-old critically injured in train–car collision
British Transport Police have begun an investigation into a collision involving a train and a car on a Suffolk level-crossing that left a 10-year-old boy fighting for his life. The boy suffered life-threatening head injuries in the crash at the crossing at Barnby, near Beccles, on the night of July 3rd, 2010.. The car in which he was travelling was struck by the 19.02 Ipswich to Lowestoft train, operated by National Express East Anglia, which was carrying 60 passengers. Following the collision the train passengers were taken by buses to their destinations. No one else was injured in the incident. The car was being driven by the boy’s grandfather, a farmer. The crash happened at about 8.30pm at a level crossing known as the Gamekeepers or T19 crossing near Beccles Road. It is a user-worked crossing equipped with telephones. (July 5th, 2010)