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.
A shocking video shows people dicing with death on railway lever crossing in the south east, including in Sussex.
Latest figures show there were 258 incidents of misuse and 33 near misses at level crossings across Network Rail’s Kent route in the last financial year (2023/24). Although this represents an 18% decrease in the number of misuse incidents and a 13% decrease in the number of near misses on the previous year*, safety remains our number one priority because even one near miss is too many.
Across Kent, SussexSouth East London, the hotspots for level crossing misuse are:
– East Farleigh (near Maidstone) = 51 incidents
– Bax (between Sittingbourne and Faversham) = 11 incidents
-Shornemead (in Shorne near Gravesend) = 9 incidents
– Whitehall (in Wincheap near Canterbury) = 5 incidents
– Gillingham = 4 incidents
– Millbridge No. 2 (in Rye) = 1 incident
– Middle Salts (in Rye) = 1 incident
Sam Pead, Network Rail’s Southern region level crossing manager, said: “While our railway is one of the safest in Europe, its 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 as fast as 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.”
