Quote:
|
They seem to have CCTV everywhere else, why not have it where it might save lives?
|
There are CCTV monitored level crossings - usually on busier roads. AHBs, like in this incident (and of course open crossings which have no barriers at all) are used on lightly used roads, which this certainly was. It's difficult to think of a use of CCTV that would make a difference - possibly a device to alert if the crossing is blocked would be better (bearing in mind that signalmen have more to do than watch a bunch of TVs).
There are lots of level crossing accidents every year, usually resulting in a dead road user, but there is a serious one about every 20 years (1968, 1986, 2004).
Casualties are now six - car driver, train driver and four others, probably on the train, considering that the normally excellent Mk.3 coaches suffered serious damage, which needs to be examined urgently, considering the train wasn't travelling at full speed.
Poor old Great Western has now had three serious HST accidents in seven years, only one of which was their fault, and all with the first class section at the front of the train bearing the brunt of it, which I suppose is lucky as it's generally less used.