Rail crossing death risk for rule-breaking pedestrians

7:31am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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PEDESTRIANS are putting their lives at risk - by walking on a rail crossing when the barriers are down.

British Transport Police has issued a safety warning to pedestrians in South Woodham Ferrers, after it found people were flouting regulations on a level crossing near the town's railway station.

Police found that some rail passengers have been getting off the train at the station and walking straight across the level crossing, even though the road barrier was down and warning lights were on.

People have been ignoring signs on both sides of the crossing, which warn pedestrians not to trespass on the railway and the penalties involved in breaking the rules.

Officers stopped 14 people from walking on the rail crossing when the barriers were down, who all received £50 fines and cautions, as part of an operation to highlight the dangers of ignoring the barriers.

Chief Insp Nicki Watson, of British Transport Police, said people were putting their lives at risk for the sake of saving just a couple minutes.

She said: "It is imperative that passengers or pedestrians do not take risks at rail crossings. Misusing them can have potentially tragic consequences.

"For the sake of waiting just a couple of minutes, I would urge people not to risk endangering their lives or the lives of others.

"British Transport Police will be running similar operations in the coming weeks. Anyone committing offences during the operation will be stopped and may be issued with a fixed penalty fine."