Foxton level crossing made rail 'priority' after girls 'trapped'

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

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

Claims that two girls became trapped on a level crossing in Cambridgeshire have prompted Network Rail to make improving it "a priority".

Hattie MacFadzean, 16, said she and a friend were trapped after one pedestrian gate at the Foxton crossing opened but the other failed. The girls had to use the traffic barrier to escape but were unhurt.

A Network Rail spokesman said the monitored crossing posed no danger but added a long-term solution was needed.

Miss MacFadzean said: "We were stuck on the tracks. We couldn't get around because cars were coming through. We had to wait for about five minutes before we could get underneath the road barriers and up onto the station."

Dave Ward, route managing director for Network Rail's Anglia region, said: "It must have been very frightening for [the girls] but there was no immediate danger. The crossing keeper would have monitored the crossing and would not have allowed a train to go over it."

However, he added there were some "concerning issues around the reliability of the wicket gates" and said Network Rail would be looking at a "long-term solution" for the crossing.

"I've instructed my engineers to stop looking at bureaucracy and funding issues and upgrade the locking system for that gate, and do it as soon as possible," Mr Ward said. "We have also been doing work, which will be completed at the end of this month, to widen the adjacent footpath so if there is a problem people can get out safely from the road traffic.

"I can give you an absolute assurance that [cost and bureaucracy] will not hold up any work on any level crossing in Anglia that needs upgrading or safety improvements," he added.

I've met, and have a lot of time for, Dave Ward: a man who gets things done. Chris.

[dviner]

Level crossings have become an emotive and newsworthy subject recently.

In this instance, it appears that the thing that was causing the problem was the thing that was not present at Elsingham - a lock on the wicket gate.

[Chris from Nailsea]

A follow up item, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

'Notorious' Cambridgeshire crossing upgrade plan

Work is starting to upgrade a railway level crossing in Cambridgeshire described as "notorious" by passengers.

Network Rail said the crossing at Foxton would be improved after a rail user group complained that children had found themselves "trapped".

Hattie MacFadzean, 16, told the BBC last week she was trapped after one pedestrian gate at the Foxton crossing opened but the other failed.

Hattie had to use the traffic barrier to escape but was unhurt.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "Work is under way to improve Foxton level crossing and we will widen the footpath next to the road and upgrade the pedestrian gates. Safety is our number one priority and we have a nationwide programme to improve and close level crossings where possible."

Susan van de Ven, who heads the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group and is a Liberal Democrat member of Cambridgeshire County Council, raised concerns in a letter to local newspapers.

"Foxton Level Crossing is one of the most notorious outside of London, and breakdowns of its self-locking pedestrian gates have occurred on a regular basis over the past 18 months," she said.

"This is a level crossing heavily used by schoolchildren. When the gates have failed, children have found themselves trapped inside the level crossing while the Cambridge-London train hurtles past.

"New self-locking gates were installed by Network Rail last summer, but the essential magnetic locking components were missing due to their high cost, ^50,000.

"The 'new' pedestrian gates therefore operate on a 50-year-old system and breakdowns continue at an alarming rate."

Hmm. My highlighting - is that bit right, can anyone here 'in the know' confirm? If those parts are 'essential', why are they 'missing' - and do they really cost that much?

Chris.

[Lee]

Dave Ward:

"It must have been very frightening for [the girls] but there was no immediate danger. The crossing keeper would have monitored the crossing and would not have allowed a train to go over it."

Susan van de Ven:

This is a level crossing heavily used by schoolchildren. When the gates have failed, children have found themselves trapped inside the level crossing while the Cambridge-London train hurtles past.

 

[inspector_blakey]

At risk of seeming cynical, I'd trust the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) manager rather than the local pol. That is all 

[jessicafoxton]

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.

[JayMac]

Thank you for your most insightful local perspective, jessicafoxton. And a very warm welcome to the Coffee Shop forum. 

[jessicafoxton]

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

[Chris from Nailsea]

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

Network Rail Foxton level crossing 'fix' promised by July

Campaigners calling for improvements to level crossing gates in Cambridgeshire have been told by Network Rail they will be fixed by the end of July.

Residents in Foxton said the pedestrian gates had been faulty for 18 months.

In February Network Rail said upgrading the crossing would be a "priority" after two girls said they had become trapped when the locking system failed. A spokesman admitted work had been slow but said the lock controls would be fixed by 30 July.

In February, Dave Ward, route managing director for Network Rail's Anglia region, said engineers would upgrade the locking mechanism "as soon as possible".

However, he admitted the speed with which "major improvement works" had been carried out had only been "adequate". "It would have been nicer to have done it more quickly, but there have been some technical reasons why there has been a slight delay," he said.

Speaking after a meeting arranged by the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group on Tuesday, Mr Ward said: "I have to accept that I set my people timescales that push at the bounds of what is reasonable, in many respects. If I don't have a supplier willing to do that work, then it is difficult to accelerate it. We now have a supplier and it will be completed on 30 July."

He said Network Rail had already completed work on footpaths and "refurbished" the pedestrian gate locks.

Liberal Democrat County Councillor Susan Van Der Ven, who heads the rail user group, said she was encouraged by the meeting. "Mr Ward has committed to a date. It is about three months later than promised but I am confident that it will happen," she said.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From Cambridge News:

Mini-cab driver diced with death at level crossing


Slawomir Oszwa drove on the wrong side of the road at Foxton level crossing

A mini-cab driver who motored over a railway level crossing as the barriers came down has been banned from driving.

Having dropped off a passenger, the Camcab driver swerved into the opposite lane to avoid the lowering safety barriers, then swerved back as he crossed the tracks.

Slawomir Oszwa, of Cambridge Road, Milton, had continued over the Foxton level crossing on July 20 even though red lights were flashing, magistrates in Cambridge heard yesterday.

Camcab said the company was not aware of the incident until contacted yesterday by the News  and would be taking further action.

The court heard the 49-year-old had dropped off a student in Station Road in Foxton, was waiting for the crossing to be clear and was planning to drive into Cambridge to carry on working.

Paul Brown, prosecuting, said: ^It (Oszwa^s car) has not stopped at the line as he needed to. It has gone over the red lights, carried on over the crossing and under the lowering entry barriers.^

Oszwa, who represented himself, said through an interpreter he wanted to apologise and said he had had a ^heavy day^. He said: ^When I crossed this railway level crossing I knew I had committed a minor offence and I realised I would be punished for that. On that day I finished my work and because of that incident I went home. I do my best to be a responsible person, I have got three sons, two of them are students and my main responsibility is to provide for them to obtain a proper level of education, that^s why I came to this country.^

Magistrate Dr Christine Shaw told the defendant it is very dangerous for motorists to try to drive through barriers as they are closing. She said: ^There have been fatalities on railway crossings in this county within this year and I have seen publicity campaigns on television and in newspapers highlighting the dangers of driving across railway crossings like that. As a taxi driver, we expect a high standard of responsible driving from you.^

Oszwa had pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. She disqualified him from driving for 28 days, fined him ^400, ordered him to pay ^70 costs and a ^15 victim surcharge.

A spokesman for Camcab confirmed Oszwa was one of their drivers. He said Camcab was not aware of the incident until the company was contacted by the News and they would be taking action. Their legal team was visiting them today, he said, and they would also talk to the council.

He said: ^We do take the matter very seriously. The drivers are self-employed even though they represent the company.^

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Royston Crow:

Train delays as lorry crashes into barriers at Foxton level crossing

A lorry has struck the barriers of a level crossing this morning (Thursday) blocking the Great Northern line and causing delays to train services.

The incident occurred at about 10.10am and train operator First Capital Connect (FCC^▸ (First Capital Connect)) has said trains are running at reduced speed while Network Rail attempt to rectify the problem.

Writing on Twitter, FCC said: ^GN: Due to a problem with a level crossing at #Foxton trains are running at reduced speeds in the area. @networkrail are working on this.

^GN: #Foxton - Further info reveals that a lorry has struck the barriers on the crossing all lines are blocked.

^GN #Foxton - @greateranglia are accepting our tickets to Liverpool Street on reasonable routes.^

[phile]

From Cambridge News:

Mini-cab driver diced with death at level crossing


Slawomir Oszwa drove on the wrong side of the road at Foxton level crossing

A mini-cab driver who motored over a railway level crossing as the barriers came down has been banned from driving.

Having dropped off a passenger, the Camcab driver swerved into the opposite lane to avoid the lowering safety barriers, then swerved back as he crossed the tracks.

Slawomir Oszwa, of Cambridge Road, Milton, had continued over the Foxton level crossing on July 20 even though red lights were flashing, magistrates in Cambridge heard yesterday.

Camcab said the company was not aware of the incident until contacted yesterday by the News  and would be taking further action.

The court heard the 49-year-old had dropped off a student in Station Road in Foxton, was waiting for the crossing to be clear and was planning to drive into Cambridge to carry on working.

Paul Brown, prosecuting, said: ^It (Oszwa^s car) has not stopped at the line as he needed to. It has gone over the red lights, carried on over the crossing and under the lowering entry barriers.^

Oszwa, who represented himself, said through an interpreter he wanted to apologise and said he had had a ^heavy day^. He said: ^When I crossed this railway level crossing I knew I had committed a minor offence and I realised I would be punished for that. On that day I finished my work and because of that incident I went home. I do my best to be a responsible person, I have got three sons, two of them are students and my main responsibility is to provide for them to obtain a proper level of education, that^s why I came to this country.^

Magistrate Dr Christine Shaw told the defendant it is very dangerous for motorists to try to drive through barriers as they are closing. She said: ^There have been fatalities on railway crossings in this county within this year and I have seen publicity campaigns on television and in newspapers highlighting the dangers of driving across railway crossings like that. As a taxi driver, we expect a high standard of responsible driving from you.^

Oszwa had pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. She disqualified him from driving for 28 days, fined him ^400, ordered him to pay ^70 costs and a ^15 victim surcharge.

A spokesman for Camcab confirmed Oszwa was one of their drivers. He said Camcab was not aware of the incident until the company was contacted by the News and they would be taking action. Their legal team was visiting them today, he said, and they would also talk to the council.

He said: ^We do take the matter very seriously. The drivers are self-employed even though they represent the company.^

Committed a minor offence, did he ?    If somebody could have potentially been killed I wouldn't think it would be in that category.
How could he be a taxi driver communicating with the public if he required an interpretor.