Shiplake level crossing incidents - merged topics

[whole diary]

[Lee]

A novice motorist who caused ^43,000 damage when he drove onto a level crossing and almost derailed a train believes the judge made "a good call" by deciding against sending him to prison (link below.)
http://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/chronicle/headlines/tm_headline=rail-crossing-crash-man-believes-no-jail-decision-was-a-good-call%26method=full%26objectid=19743599%26siteid=50102-name_page.html

Former estate agent Scott Lomax , from Gabriels Close , Lower Earley , who escaped injury when his car was crushed and wrecked by the train , claimed he was blinded by the sun when he strayed onto the Shiplake level crossing.

The First Great Western driver and his 30 passengers were uninjured but the car was twisted around and dragged along the track , destroying signalling equipment and railings.

But after hearing Lomax had debts of ^30,000 , and ruling he had not deliberately tried to jump the crossing lights , a judge ordered him to do 80 hours' community service but did not make him pay costs or compensation.

Judge Gareth Davies did ban Lomax from driving for 12 months and told him to sit an extended driving test before getting his licence back.

[Jim]

MENTAL - He should be banned forever and jailed!

[vacman]

A novice motorist who caused ^43,000 damage when he drove onto a level crossing and almost derailed a train believes the judge made "a good call" by deciding against sending him to prison (link below.)
http://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/chronicle/headlines/tm_headline=rail-crossing-crash-man-believes-no-jail-decision-was-a-good-call%26method=full%26objectid=19743599%26siteid=50102-name_page.html

Former estate agent Scott Lomax , from Gabriels Close , Lower Earley , who escaped injury when his car was crushed and wrecked by the train , claimed he was blinded by the sun when he strayed onto the Shiplake level crossing.

The First Great Western driver and his 30 passengers were uninjured but the car was twisted around and dragged along the track , destroying signalling equipment and railings.

But after hearing Lomax had debts of ^30,000 , and ruling he had not deliberately tried to jump the crossing lights , a judge ordered him to do 80 hours' community service but did not make him pay costs or compensation.

Judge Gareth Davies did ban Lomax from driving for 12 months and told him to sit an extended driving test before getting his licence back.

T**ser basicly, should be banned from driving forever, people like this cause deaths of innocent people. Ufton ring any bells?

[Chris from Nailsea]

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

Network Rail has urged drivers to stop ignoring warning lights at a railway crossing in Oxfordshire.
There have been 28 reports of dangerous and illegal behaviour at the Shiplake crossing since 2007.
These included five near-misses where trains have narrowly avoided hitting a vehicle.
The rail operator said motorists and pedestrians frequently ignored the warning signs and risk their lives crossing when the lights are flashing.
It said the "true figure" of how many people misused the Shiplake crossing was "likely to be significantly higher".
Liz Heading, community safety manager at Network Rail, said: "Jumping the lights and ignoring warning signs is sadly a sight we see all too often, and in many cases with tragic outcomes. Level crossings are safe, but if misused, they all pose very real risks. We're driving home the message that running the risk at a level crossing is just not worth it. By trying to save a few seconds, you could end up losing your life."

[JayMac]

Similar story from the Henley Standard, including video footage of a recent near miss.

Also from Network Rail, pictures of a collision at the same crossing in 2006:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Resource-Library/Shiplake-level-crossing-collision-1-71e.aspx

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Resource-Library/Shiplake-level-crossing-collision-2-71f.aspx

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the British Transport Police press release:

Shiplake Level Crossing in Berkshire will be the focus of British Transport Police^s (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) attention on Monday, 7 November.

BTP officers and staff from Network Rail will be at the level crossing aiming to make motorists and pedestrians more aware of the potential dangers and to educate them on how to use crossings correctly.

BTP^s Sergeant Chris Maddox, said: ^In just the last two weeks a driver was reported for dangerous driving at the crossing when a train was forced to make an emergency stop to avoid colliding with her vehicle.

^Education is key to everything we do around level crossings. By informing people of the potential dangers of misusing crossings ^ and how to use them safely we aim to reduce incidents at these sites.^

Officers will be at the crossing between 3pm and 7pm to speak to residents and members of the local community who use it most often.

Sgt Maddox added: ^We are working closely with Network Rail in the area to improve knowledge and, where necessary, to take action against those who continue to misuse crossings. 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 license. 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.

Liz Heading, community safety manager at Network Rail, said: "Jumping the lights and ignoring warning signs is sadly a sight we see all too often. Level crossings are safe, but if misused, they all pose very real risks. We're driving home the message that running the risk at a level crossing is just not worth it. By trying to save a few seconds, you could end up losing your life."

[JayMac]

People of Oxfordshire (and those visiting). You have been warned. Take it easy, park up (not on the level crossing!) and help yourself to some free herbs from the planter on the platform.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=6472.msg64158#msg64158

 

[bobm]

From FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Website

Line problem: between Twyford and Henley-On-Thames.
Owing to a problem at a level crossing between Twyford and Henley-On-Thames all lines are blocked.Impact:Train services running through these stations may be cancelled at short notice. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.Customer Advice:Road transport is operating in lieu of this service for the rest of the evening.

Last Updated: 17/11/2011 19:13

As Shiplake is the only crossing on the branch I hope there hasn't been a "meeting of minds" on the crossing.

[bobm]

Sadly seems I was right.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10162811

[Phil]

Talking of level crossings, I stumbled across this earlier.  It's a YouTube channel with 189 videos featuring level crossings in England.

erm.... yeah.

http://www.youtube.com/user/SteveDD1#g/u

[Electric train]

Talking of level crossings, I stumbled across this earlier.  It's a YouTube channel with 189 videos featuring level crossings in England.

erm.... yeah.

http://www.youtube.com/user/SteveDD1#g/u

Do you think that guy needs to get out less 

[JayMac]

From the Reading Post:

Safety calls at Shiplake railway crossing

A railway campaign group is calling for the safety of the Shiplake crossing to be re-assessed after a train hit a car on the track.

The driver had to be cut out of his vehicle but was discharged from hospital the following day after receiving treatment for a broken arm.

The crossing, which has warning lights but no barrier, has a record of near misses and was the scene of a collision in 2006.

There have been 28 reports of dangerous and illegal behaviour on the Shiplake crossing since 2007.

Thames Valley Railfuture says this worrying history highlights the importance of assessing risks and increasing safety at level crossings. The organisation has called for an ongoing system of risk assessments of level crossings to be extended to every crossing in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).

Spokesman Hugh Jaeger said: ^Has Network Rail yet applied the national All Level Crossing Risk Model (ALCRM) to the crossing at Shiplake? Thames Valley Railfuture hopes that the ALCRM will continue and will further improve level crossing safety, including a reduction in pedestrian casualties.^

In the latest incident on Thursday, November 16, a 58-year-old Abingdon man was injured after the 6.17pm Henley to Twyford First Great Western train struck his silver Volkswagen Polo as it was pulling into Shiplake station.

Firefighters from Caversham Road station were among the crews called to the scene. Crew manager Doug Buchanan said: ^The train was just coming into the station, fortunately for the driver of the car.^

He said the train hit the driver^s door, trapping the man. Firefighters removed the roof to free the motorist who was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital.

British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) said the train remained upright and no passengers were injured in the incident, which happened at about 6.30pm. The line re-opened at 12.40am next day. BTP spokeswoman Jenny Dickens said officers were investigating the circumstances of the incident and asked anyone with information to call 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 464 of 17/11/2011.

Network Rail spokeswoman Sam Kelly said: ^There are thousands of level crossings across Britain, all of which are different. Each and every crossing is individually assessed and the appropriate safety measures put in place, which take into account several factors such as the level of traffic, sight lines and the speed of trains. Safety is our number one priority and reviewing safety at level crossings is an ongoing process.^

A catalogue of dangerous and illegal behaviour

Figures released by Network Rail last year showed there had been 28 reports of dangerous and illegal behaviour on the Shiplake crossing since 2007, including five near misses.

Earlier this month, a train had to make an emergency stop to avoid hitting a car crossing the track. The rail operator said motorists and pedestrians regularly took risks by crossing the track when the lights were flashing.

A new set of brighter lights had just been installed after drivers complained the old ones were difficult to see in bright sunlight.

BTP had recently launched a campaign highlighting the dangers of level crossings and officers had been handing out safety leaflets in Shiplake on the day of the crash.

A 22-year-old estate agent escaped uninjured when a train hit the Vauxhall Astra he was driving over the Shiplake crossing in July

[Chris from Nailsea]

BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) had recently launched a campaign highlighting the dangers of level crossings and officers had been handing out safety leaflets in Shiplake on the day of the crash.

 

[Chris from Nailsea]

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

Shiplake level crossing crash man charged

An Oxfordshire man has been charged in connection with a incident in which a train collided with a car on a level crossing near Shiplake.

A silver Peugeot collided with the First Great Western Henley to Twyford service on 17 November, injuring a driver who was taken to hospital.

Philip Koomen, 58, of Guildown near Abingdon has been charged with dangerous driving.

He will appear at court on a date to be confirmed in January.

[autotank]

The Henley Standard is reporting that the crossing at Shiplake is to get barrier by the end of the Summer. The corssing has been the scene of many incidents over the last few years so this is a welcome move. Disappointing that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) are having to pick up the bill though as all the collisions have been the fault of motorists and not the railway! Surely road users should have to make some contribution towards the extra safety measures?

Here is the story:

http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=37432