Pressure to change train crash crossing

The scene of the crash in which John White's car was struck by a train.

03 March 2007 09:27

Pressure is mounting on Network Rail to replace all half-barrier level crossings across the country in the wake of the fatal crash at Swainsthorpe which killed a 56-year-old-man.

The company has so far failed to carry out improvements to the 31 half-barrier crossings in the UK despite being strongly urged to do so 18 months ago by an inquiry team looking into a similar collision.

It also emerged that the Health and Safety Executive has banned the controversial crossings from being used on any rail line where speeds go above 100mph.

Richard Bacon, South Norfolk MP, today called on Network Rail, which has a £2bn budget, to make the “tiny investment” necessary to protect people's lives and not “wash their hands” of their responsibilities following the crash at Swainsthorpe - the scene of the third fatal accident in 18 months.

John White, who lived in Swainsthorpe, was named as the man killed in the crash at 7.25am on Thursday and it is still unclear why he was on the track in his Vauxhall Astra car when it was hit by the train travelling at 100mph from Colchester to Norwich.

Mr White, who worked at Colman's in Bracondale, lived in Church Road just a 15-second walk from the crossing in the village five miles south of Norwich and would have been well aware of its dangers.

The crossing is controlled by a half barrier which comes down for about 20 seconds once the traffic lights turn red, so there is very little time for a car to manoeuvre through the barrier.

Reports have suggested the driver tried to get out of the car after realising he was going to be hit by the 10-carriage express train, which left London at 6.22am, but the train ploughed into his silver Vauxhall Astra.

His body was found close to the level crossing on Church Road but the mangled remains of his car were shunted about one mile along the track.

It is believed Mr White had two grown up daughters and lived with his wife, who had been ill for several months.

One couple, who live opposite the family, said: “We didn't really know the man but there were a lot of police outside his house yesterday. It is terrible because he has two daughters and they have come back to deal with this.

“His wife has just had an operation in hospital, she has been very ill. We are not sure whether she is at home or not.”

William Pole who lives the other side of the level crossing in Swainsthorpe said: “I can't believe anyone who lived so close to the track would risk crossing that line.

“We all know how dangerous that crossing is. Mr White did not seem like the sort of man who would do something like this. It really makes you wonder.”

Another neighbour said: “Everyone is very shocked and it is too early to tell what happened. This just shows we have to do something about this type of level crossing once and for all.”

Paul Gowman, the chairman of Swainsthorpe Parish Council, said: “They are a very self-contained family and I didn't really know Mr White apart from just to say 'hello'.

“I think he had teenage daughters and he wife had been quite obviously ill for some time.”

The crash left the rail service in chaos and the site was not cleared until after 1pm with services between Liverpool Street and Norwich starting running again at 6pm.

The collision came just one day after the Office of Rail Regulation called for massive safety improvements to be made to level crossings, calling for many to be replaced by bridges.

A spokesman for Network Rail confirmed the level crossing barriers were working and a senior rail source confirmed the car had been hit while zig-zagging through the crossing.

Around 50 passengers were taken off the train and put on to coaches to reach their destinations.

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police them on 0207 3801400.

Should we do more to improve safety at railway crossings? Write to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE, e-mail eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk or log on to eveningnews24.co.uk/forums

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