Wow..a low speed collision... ouch? I am just speaking from experience. I have never experienced a delay in Germany in 3 recurring years but here it is a problem I face every day.

Are you suprised??

Well a big congratulations for them for making 1.3% of effort more than last year
The target PPM^‡(resolve) should be at least 92% or more. I fail to see how other countries in Europe can get their train systoms near imacculate and we can't even scrape reliable(speaking purley about the London to Cambridge lines.) I havn't seen a train from London Kings Cross to Cambridge that hasn't been delayed since before christmas! Ranging throughout the day I might add.
They clearly can't deal with a lots of customers and especially peak times, they should quit while they're ahead and sell their company.

And the fact public transport is supposed to be cheaper so we use it for the envirnoment has backfired as it's now cheaper for me to be driven to town that my extortion train ticket of ^4.20 for 10 minutes, less than 8 miles and no stops between me and Cambridge. Truly disgusting.

awh thankyou very much bignosemac for making me feel welcome:)

I saw this story and was appalled. I get on this train regulary and never heard of such ridiculousness.

Cambridge>Foxton>meldreth>Royston>ashwell and morden> Baldock> letchworth garden city> hitchin> stevenage> potters bar > finsbury park >london kings cross.

Dont know if thats any help to your hertforshire queries and 

I live in Foxton and have done all my life. I even live in my grandparents house they built. And never has the railway been such an issue. I'm going to sound older thani am, only 18,but this is the most over done thing, First Capital Connect should focus on making the trains run on time not painting the lampposts on the station.
 
In the olden days you keep yourself alive, you didn't rely on electronical barriers and gates, even having them they are renound to fail. You look left and right to cross the road, Look for trains to. If we didnt try safeguard people letting them forget to look after themselves. With these sorts of things every one would be aware of things and
I myself and know other people who have been "trapped" which should be used incredibly closely. David ward is 100% right there was no danger. Only danger from potential stupidity. You have 3+ minutes before any train is coming when the barriers are going down, there is time to ''escape''. Theres a concrete block we use to step over. If all else fails and you darn't move hold on to the gate if your worried about getting sucked in. I have never heard such palaver. Teenagers getting hit by cars when the barriers are broken and have to walk on the PATH along side the road, clearly arn't aware that you are responsible for your life definatley not the drivers responsibility.
 
The quote from Susan Van De Ven shouldn't really be counted as she's a FAMILY FRIEND to the girls. We went to school with her children. I can imagine that prompted her response somewhat.
 
If you are aware there is no danger.  I do completely agree with your 'Level crossings on the railway network are safe - unless they are used in an unsafe manner.'   Ever so much and I'd thoroughly back you up.
 

 
Edit note: Thanks very much for posting this, jessicafoxton. I've simply removed a phrase at the end which I saw you had copied from your e-mail and probably included in this post by oversight. Chris.