Rail firm targets Polegate crossing danger
NETWORK Rail targeted the level crossing in Polegate last week to warn residents about the dangers of ignoring warning signs, lights and barriers at level crossings.
Ellie Reilly, community safety manager at Network Rail, said, "The level crossing at Polegate has up to 138 trains per day passing through at speeds of up to 90mph.
"We held this event to highlight the often tragic consequences which could result from taking risks at level crossings.
"It is both incredibly dangerous and illegal to swerve under or around barriers or ignore warning lights and signs, and we hope that by understanding the consequences, people who currently misuse the level crossing will act more responsibly."
The level crossing at Polegate experiences frequent misuse by motorists and pedestrians.
Recent examples of this dangerous and illegal behaviour include vehicles striking the barriers while trying to swerve around them and pedestrians jumping over the barriers and running across the railway in front of approaching trains.
The awareness event was part of Network Rail's ongoing Don't Run the Risk campaign which aims to combat level crossing misuse.
It was organised by Network Rail's dedicated community safety team, in partnership with British Transport Police and Southern.
Throughout the afternoon 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 pose the question: "Would it kill you to wait?".
Inspector Gary Ancell at British Transport Police said, "Some people are prepared to put their life and the safety of other innocent people at risk just to save time at level crossings.
"The majority of drivers and pedestrians respect the warning lights and barriers at level crossings but a small minority are still prepared to run the risk to shave a few of minutes off their journey time.
"This sort of impatience is very dangerous and we are working closely with Network Rail and other partners in the rail industry to address the problem."
In the Sussex area alone, there were five near misses involving motor vehicles and trains last year and 29 involving pedestrians. There were a total of 225 reported incidents of misuse.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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