Friday, June 27, 2008

INVESTIGATION: Moor Lane FP, Staines

The RAIB’s preliminary examination of this incident has indicated no issues with the condition or operation of the train or the signalling system that could have contributed to the accident.

Brian Smith, of Moor Lane who used to walk on Stanwell Moor with Terri, has been campaigning about the crossing where his friend died and another behind the Two Rivers Estate, three-quarters of a mile up the tracks, since 2005. He said he was "disgusted" with these findings.

Mr Smith said he took a rail inspector from the Health and Safety Inspectorate, which was replaced by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) in 2006, to the Two Rivers crossing in February 2005 but has heard nothing since.


RAIB: http://tinyurl.com/688hlx

Wimbledon Guardian: http://tinyurl.com/5fd2dc

Saturday, June 21, 2008

INCIDENT: Broadley FP, Kent 19th June 2008

A police officer died after being hit by a train at a footpath level crossing in Kent.

Detective Constable Andy Eley, 43, from Thanet, was hit at Broadley crossing between Herne Bay and Birchington.

Eighty-five people were on board the 9.59am service from Ramsgate to London Victoria, which did not derail. No other injuries were reported.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "The train was travelling at 80mph when the driver spotted the man lying partially on the line about 100 metres ahead of him. There appear to be no suspicious circumstances at this stage and an investigation for the coroner is under way."

BBC News: http://tinyurl.com/624d2y
Daily Mail: http://tinyurl.com/6oqnhs
Rye and Battle Observer: http://tinyurl.com/68w7w7

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

INCIDENT: Pencoed MCB CCTV 13th June 2008

A teenager was killed when she was struck by an express train on a full barrier crossing at Pencoed station, Bridgend.

Sophie Harris, 16, was reported to have been followed another un-named teenage girl onto the crossing who had been attempting to retrive a mobile phone thrown onto the track by an un-named male.

She was hit by a Swansea-bound train which had been travelling at 85mph. The other girl jumped clear over the crossing barrier and was unhurt.

British Transport Police have begun an investigation.

Daily Mirror: http://tinyurl.com/5jqsyd
This is South Wales: http://tinyurl.com/5z7dsl
This is Swansea: http://tinyurl.com/6malej

Sunday, June 15, 2008

INCIDENT: Loover Barn UWC+T, Kent 13th June 2008

A tractor was hit by a train travelling over a user-worked crossing between Glynde and Berwick in Kent.

Chris Brickell, 21, from Itford Farm, Beddingham, was uninjured in the incident. No injuries were reported on the London-bound train, which did not derail.

The driver claims that he called the signalling station and had been given permission to cross.

The RAIB have carried out a preliminary examination and will include the incident in its general investigation into user worked crossings.


Rye and Batlle Observer: http://tinyurl.com/5n4nt8 and http://tinyurl.com/5nse7f

Saturday, June 07, 2008

UPGRADE: Carnoustie MCB

Network Rail are considering a range of improvements to the Station Road MCB crossing at Carnoustie.

The crossing has a history of abuse and was one of the first 'red-light-camera' crossing sites.

As well as marking up the crossing area with yellow-box markings, worls could include lowering a section of boundary wall to improve visibility, installing new LED lights with low hoods and the installation of CCTV.


Guide and Gazette: http://tinyurl.com/6g34uy

Thursday, June 05, 2008

INCIDENT: Bardon Mill UWC+T, Northumberland 03/06/08

A delivery van was hit by a train on a user-worked crossing in Bardon Mill, Northumberland.

The 20-year old driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries. None of the 45 passengers on the 16.24 Newcastle to Whitehaven Northern Rail train were reported as injured. The train did not derail.

It has been alleged that the driver did not use the crossing phone to seek permission to cross the line.

British Transport Police officers have begun an investigation. They have already said there was no information to suggest that the crossing was faulty.

BBC News: http://tinyurl.com/4njrd6
Whitehaven News: http://tinyurl.com/5k94yl
Journal Live: http://tinyurl.com/3o9x3l