Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20590716

This would explain the camera van sitting today at my local crossing, obstructing the pavement in the name of safety.

But maybe someone ought to take a look at why people don't want to wait?

So trains take a lot of stopping distance. But does that mean they should have a complete priority over road users, especially given that in the majority of cases the road right of way would have existed long before the railway arrived?

My local crossing will shut for over 5 minutes causing traffic chaos, especially at peak hours, for some distance away. The trains involved aren't that busy and I'd suspect more road traffic is delayed than passengers on the trains. The most annoying thing is a few years ago they changed the signalling and rail station layout. The crossing is, as is typical in many towns, by the station. Before trains from one direction stopped at the platform and then the barriers were active. Now, the trains have a safety zone and stop well back from the platform end and crossing, yet the barriers are activated when the train leaves the last station a couple of miles away adding to the time the barrier is down. And they wonder why everyone is desperate to get over the crossing :(

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

Network Rail should be obliged to build tunnels or bridges to keep rail traffic off the roads?

Saying that, 2 local road bridges over a railway were "downgraded" about 25 years ago as they were considered unable to carry heavy traffic (even double decker buses). At "some point" they will be rebuilt to take the heavier traffic. I wonder if they are waiting for them to fall down before they replace them?

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

down the road from me > http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...il-stupid.html

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

another incident at a level crossing http://news.sky.com/story/1020540/tw...sing-collision :(

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

There is the story that some years ago BR (as it was then) changed the wording of the signs at unmanned crossings that didn't have safety barriers. The wording aparently used to say 'Do Not Cross Whilst Red Light Is Showing', unfortunatly in Castleford and surrounding areas 'whilst' has the same meaning as 'until' - I have a few friends who if they were coming to our house at 7 would say 'I won't be there whilst 7' Anyway BR saw the problem when a family from Castleford were killed on a crossing somewhere in Lincolnshire.

Cheers

Grim

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

Sadly, l have two beliefs on this comment.

1) No matter what measures Network Rail place at Level crossings, and l live near one and what l have seen would scare you to death. I saw a female and a child, actually open the gate to the side of the level crossing when it was CLOSED, and run across the crossing. I have seen over the years crossing level crossings, especially in the country, people will still go across them them even mad drivers, l have seen cross these when half a gate in down.

No matter what resouces are put there, epople will go 'dare and go'

2) the cruel part, l have no synmpathy what so ever with anyone who does this and gets killed, l feel for the family and the driver of the train, but if someone wants to dice with death, then thats up to them.

I used to live in Grove Park, Chiswick and there is a crossing there, very quiet one, but the things l have seen there.

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

Unfortunate timing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20595926 :(

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

best wishes to the little 1.

ive seen a fair few people cross our crossing but 1 sticks in my mind. in daylight around lunchtime a male with a can of beer in his hand hurdles the barrier and just walks all without looking. there was a fair few people waiting not only in cars but standing and everyone gasped. first time ive seen and heard that sort of thing, it was truly stomach dropping.

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

Why is it that people think they can beat a train, especially those with kids in the car.

Sorry but people who do this, if they survive should be banned and made to retake their driving test.

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

unfortunately even worse news - the little girl has died http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20606244

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

RIP little one.

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

Yes RIP.

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

God rest her soul.

Re: Level Crossing Safety Cameras
 

There are set timings trains have to adhere to in order to keep everything moving on time and safely on the rail network.
There is no way that road traffic could be given priority.