Network Rail rejects target to end level crossing deaths, says risk lower than MPs claim

Network Rail has warned the regulator against MPs' recommendation for a target to eliminate level crossing fatalities by 2020.

Network Rail has told the transport select committee that to achieve this target would "require a programme of crossing closures which would have significant social and economic costs". Currently, Network Rail has a £109m programme to close 500 of a total 6,400 level crossings over the next five years, after closing 750 over the last five-year period.

The response also rejects the MPs' claim that the Health and Safety Executive guidance to reduce individual risk of a fatal accident to 1 in 10,000 is being flouted. "The 1 in 10,000 risk to the individual cited in the committee's report is misleading and may give the impression that level crossings are less safe than is actually the case."

"The risk at level crossings is not imposted on an individual as the individual can decide whether to cross or to use other routes to cross the railway. In this regard, we do not believe that the 1 in 10,000 risk limit applies to level crossings."

Network Rail acknowledges, however, that there are 1,792 level crossings where the risk, calculated on 500 traverses by an individual per annum may be greater than 1 in 10,000. But it says that the majority of these are user-worked crossings where any given individual would be unlikely to cross 500 times in a year.

It adds that at over 5,000 level crossings, the public decides how and when to cross and is not required to inform it before deciding to cross. "We are reliant on the public using level crossings correctly, and reliant on others to play their part in ensuring level crossings can be used safely." It criticises highway authorities for being "reluctant to help us deliver changes, thereby leaving the public at risk, a risk which we are then required to manage".