Regulator presents proposals to improve safety at level crossingsThe Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) today outlined a series of initiatives aimed at reducing the risks of accidents at level crossings.
Level crossing misuse poses a safety risk to those travelling by rail, road and foot. ORR is also clear that safety at level crossings needs to be continuously improved.
To help the rail industry best mitigate risks, the regulator has set out its short, medium and long-term work, including:
Continued support of the Law Commissions^ work to update level crossing legislation so that it is fit for purpose for the 21st century;
Pressing the Sentencing Guidelines Council to increase suggested penalties for level crossing misuse by motorists;
Publication of revised ORR guidance on level crossings by Spring 2010; and
Inspecting all automatic open level crossings (
AOCLs▸ ) over the next year to ensure that risks are properly managed and in compliance with safety legislation. ORR has advised Network Rail to review line speeds at all AOCLs in line with industry guidelines and to develop a prioritised programme for upgrading AOCLs involving local communities and highway authorities in view of the specific risks at this type of crossing.
Bill Emery, ORR chief executive said:
^Safety is our priority. We are committed to making our regulation of the railways focused and effective, supporting industry with advice and guidance, and enforcing where appropriate with a view to achieving our vision of zero workforce and industry-caused passenger fatalities, with an ever decreasing overall safety risk.
^We commend Network Rail^s recent initiative to close 350 user-worked level crossings and their ^Don^t run the risk^ campaign which has highlighted the importance of level crossing safety to the public.
^Recent incidents at level crossings have increased concerns over their safety. That is why we are undertaking extensive work aimed at reducing the risk of accidents at all types of level crossings. We will also inspect all 128 automatic open level crossings across Britain and have advised Network Rail to review line speed at AOCLs in line with industry guidelines.^
Today^s level crossing announcement is made alongside the publication of the latest Network Rail monitor (for the second quarter covering 26 July to 17 October 2009) which provides an overview of Network Rail^s latest performance. Key findings include:
Best-ever train service performance - the moving annual average (
MAA▸ )
PPM‡ for the whole of the
GB▸ network was 91.3% at the end of Q2.
Network Rail delay to passenger trains is down 7.7% over the past year.
Performance by Virgin Trains on the West Coast route has improved - PPM during Q2 at 90.7%.
Commenting on the latest Network Rail monitor, Bill Emery said:
^Network Rail is making good progress delivering the output commitments established by our 2008 periodic review. It is, however, very early days, and we will continue to closely monitor Network Rail^s performance to ensure that it delivers our tough targets efficiently.^
Notes to editors
Our existing level crossing policy and industry guidelines is available at:
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rspg-2e-levxngs.pdf AOCL's are a type of level crossing protected by road traffic signals ("wig-wags") and audible warnings, but have no barriers. There are currently 128 AOCLs across Britain. Not all are on the mainline railway.
The AOCL position statement: is available at:
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/aocl-statement-031209.pdf For more information about the Law Commission's work visit:
http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/ For details of Network Rail's 'Don^t run the risk campaign' visit:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/2292.aspx The Office of Rail Regulation Review is available at:
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/409.pdf Network Rail monitor is available on our website at:
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/410.pdf 
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