Whitland level crossing collision train delays - 22 January 2012

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

A road has been closed and trains have been delayed after a lorry crashed into a level crossing gate in Carmarthenshire.

Police said the B4328 St John's Street in Whitland was likely to remain closed on Monday morning between St Mary's Street and Velfrey Road.

The incident occurred at around 18:30 GMT on Sunday.

Police said Arriva Trains Wales was experiencing some delays because of damage to the level crossing.

British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) said it had been told by Network Rail that a vehicle had collided with the barriers at a level crossing.

"BTP contacted Dyfed-Powys Police, whose officers quickly arrived at the scene and the road was closed," said a spokesman.

"At no time was the vehicle obstructing the railway. An investigation has been launched into the incident."

Last month, there was an incident involving a train and a stationary hay lorry at a level crossing at Llanboidy, a few miles west of Whitland.

Five passengers were treated in hospital for minor injuries.

[inspector_blakey]

I'm speechless. Barring some kind of level crossing failure in which the lights didn't work but the barriers came down, the only other explanation for this would appear be negligence on the part of the driver. It's a full-barrier level crossing located right next to a signal box, with the usual steady yellow followed by flashing red lights that give plenty of warning before the barriers come down, and is located within a 30 mph speed limit.

[Chris from Nailsea]

A different incident, but in the same area -

From the Carmarthen Journal:

Motorist failed to stop at railway level crossing

A motorist who failed to stop at Whitland's railway level crossing is more than ^100 out of pocket.

Appearing at Carmarthen Magistrates' Court, Anita Pitcher, 47, of Maes y Bont, Mynachlogddu, had initially denied a charge of failing to comply with a stop sign at the Station Road crossing on December 17.

Pitcher, representing herself, later changed her plea to guilty.

Pitcher was fined ^35 and ordered to pay costs of ^60 with a surcharge of ^15. Her licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

A spokesman for British Transport Police, PC Phil James, said: "Incredibly, there are still some people who put their lives on the line by ignoring warning sirens and trying to dash through crossings, risking their own lives and those of others for the sake of saving a few minutes.

"Those who flout the law and ignore the crossing signs can expect action to be taken against them which could be in the form of a fine or points on their driving licence ^ or they could even end up in court.

"Level crossings ^ and other crossings where road, footpaths and rail cross ^ are designed to keep people safe and, when used correctly, that is exactly what they do. However, drivers who willingly flout the law and place themselves and others in danger should be in no doubt that if caught doing so, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

[JayMac]

^110 and three points is not enough.

[anthony215]

^110 and three points is not enough.

I and I'm sure many others will agree with you there bignosemac

[Rhydgaled]

I and I'm sure many others will agree with you there bignosemac

And not just on this incident. Reading the local paper, I've seen mention of several motoring offences where the punishment was a tiny fine and maybe the odd penalty point on the driver's licence. The fines for breaking the law in such a dangourous way should be much higher.

Returning to the specific incident, if the person involved drove across the crossing when the lights were showing an iminent train this certainly qualifies as highly dangourous and the fine should have been much higher and probablly accompanied by even more points on the driver's licence.