Edit: Google images at Haresfield and Ebley
Consultation | Level crossing safety
Give your views to the Office of Rail and Road by Friday 26 February 2021
Since ramblers began campaining to retain level crossings the use of pedestrian lights has become more widespread. The images above from 5 years ago on the east coast mainline show a light assisted crossing.
Centre left – red light train approaching , centre right – green light clear to cross.
Apparently they are now in place at Haresfield and at Ebley – Comment below if you know of more.
In the past Network Rail was keen to close crossings with the mantra ‘the only safe crossing is a closed crossing’. Unfortunately that doesn’t really keep it as a crossing and diversions become necessary. Ramblers pressed to keep crossings open, often on the basis that an alternative route along roads can be less safe.
The campaign has been relatively successful
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/latest-news/2020/november/victory-for-cambridgeshire-ramblers-as-five-level-crossings-are-saved.aspx
The Office of Road and Rail – the independent safety and economic regulator of Britain’s railways – are consulting on Principles of Level Crossing Safety.
The consultation closes Friday 26th February.
“There are currently just under 5,800 level crossings on the mainline railway with another estimated 1,500 on heritage and minor railways. They range from rural footpath crossings where the user checks that it is safe to cross, to high-tech public road crossings with obstacle detection systems and automatic barriers. This guidance is for all types of level crossing and is aimed at a wide audience including level crossing operators and managers, land owners and local traffic authorities.” Introduction to Principles for managing level crossing safety, Office of Rail and Road
This is of interest to the Ramblers because the principles are relevant to:
- those dealing with access and public rights of way matters (such as Ramblers footpath volunteers)
- volunteers in roles and with responsibilities which affect safety at, or near, level crossings (such as Ramblers walk leaders)
The Office of Road and Rail also want to hear from users, so if you would like share your views, send your responses to the following questions (from page 7 of the consultation) to
LevelCrossingPrinciples@orr.gov.uk.
- Who are you responding as (an individual/for an organisation) and what is your role?
- Who would use this guidance in your organisation? When and how would it be used?
- Are the risks associated with all types of level crossings sufficiently and clearly covered? Are there gaps in the document that you think need to be addressed?
- If you carry out level crossing risk assessments, would you find this guidance helpful? Please explain your answer
- ORR has published a number of principles-based guidance on various topics. How do the principles in this level crossings guidance fit with other railway safety guidance that you use?
- What other information from ORR on level crossings would you find helpful?
If you have any questions, please get in touch with policy@ramblers.org.uk.