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 194 incidents of misuse and 29 near misses at level crossings across Network Rail’s Sussex route in the last financial year (2023/24). Although this represents a 15% decrease in the number of misuse incidents and a 3% decrease in the number of near misses compared to the previous year, safety remains the number one priority because “even one near miss is too many.”
Across Sussex, the hotspots for level crossing misuse are:
- Bewbush (on the outskirts of Crawley): 12 incidents
- Crawley High Street: 9 incidents
- One O’Clock (in Burgess Hill): 9 incidents
- Worthing: 7 incidents
- Clappers Lane (in Ferring, between Angmering and Goring-by-Sea): 6 incidents
- Bourneview (near Kenley and Whyteleafe): 4 incidents
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, 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%.
Sam Pead, Network Rail’s Southern region level crossing manager, emphasized the importance of awareness, stating: “While our railway is one of the safest in Europe, it’s 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 up to 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.”
Nick Turner, Network Rail’s Sussex route community safety manager, added: “We work incredibly hard, alongside our Govia Thameslink Railway and British Transport Police partners, to raise awareness of the dangers of trespassing on the railway and misusing level crossings. We regularly work with local schools and the community through events at high-risk level and foot crossings, pop-up events at stations, and school talks with the primary aim of educating the public and enhancing safety for everyone who regularly uses these crossings and the railway.”
Samantha Facey, Safety, Health and Security Director at Govia Thameslink Railway, stressed the seriousness of the issue: “We want people to be safe, feel safe, travel safe. We really can’t overemphasize the need to be aware of how dangerous level crossings can be if they aren’t used properly. People can easily be seriously hurt or even killed, and too many families have already been affected tragically. It’s absolutely vital that the rail industry works together to get the safety message across: please, please respect the railway and use these crossings sensibly.”
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson added: “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 about the dangers of 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.”
Network Rail urges everyone to respect the railway and stay safe, particularly as the summer holidays begin.
