Keep thinking ‘safety first’

Railtrack North West is appealing to everyone to think safe, act safe and be safe when they use level crossings, after a tragic accident at an unmanned railway crossing yesterday near Midge Hall, (Lancashire).

Many users of level crossings are not aware of the risks that they are exposed to when attempting to cross the railway lines. For instance, an express passenger train weighing as much as 500 tons can take up to one and a half miles to stop. It is also extremely difficult for first time users to gauge the speed of an oncoming train. If in doubt they should wait until it has passed. Many people also assume that all trains run on the left hand side of the tracks just like cars on the roads. This is not always the case, as trains can run in either direction on the tracks, depending on the location or the circumstances. 

At all crossings there are instruction boards, which are there to remind users of the procedure to cross safely. At crossings where the gates are operated by the road user such as those on farms, ensure that both gates either side of the railway are open and the exit is clear before crossing – and remember to close the gates behind you. Never cross if a train is approaching. Before crossing with a large or slow-moving vehicle or when herding animals, if there is a telephone provided it should be used to contact the signaller in order gain permission to cross and to tell him when you are clear of the crossing.

The incident near Midge Hall occurred on a crossing where the gates are opened and closed by the road user and early indications are that the gates were left open before the accident happened, although this will be confirmed by the investigation into the accident.

Railtrack North West level crossings manager, Tim Clark, said:- “The incident yesterday has once again highlighted the need for users of unmanned crossings to close the gates after use. Closed gates act as a constant reminder to all users to check that it is safe to cross the line. This is doubly important for the casual user or stranger as either could drive onto the line before they have appreciated they were approaching a railway. Several accidents have occurred which would not otherwise have happened if gates had been closed after use. This legal requirement is both reasonable and necessary.”

Got back to the Top of the page.

To book tickets call now on 01704 877311 or call into the Formby Times Offices or call into Southport Reporter!

 

Formby Arts Festival 2002 ROLL OF HONOUR.

 

This year's festival in Formby is well underway now.  Sponsors of the festival so far are:-

Southport Reporter, Formby Times, Alliance & Leicester, In House, Shorrocks Hill Country Club, McDougall's Chemist, Formby Health Food Store, Boots, Re-Aqua (at Just Beauty), Byrne's & Son, Maxwell Entwistle & Byrne, H.D. Vince Ltd., Ekaton Ltd., Brough Butchers, Alan Rumph & Co., Waterfields, Lloyds TSB, Backhouse, Trimmers, A.B. Lewis Ltd, AC Greeting cards, Colette Gunter Ltd, Animals in Need, Mr. Mint,  Global Video rentals, Formby-Online & Derbyshires.