|
4 April 2006 - New Road Safety Bill Impacts
on Safer Level Crossings
Navigation
Amendments to the Road Safety Bill are set to impact on making
roads crossing over railway lines and approaching areas safer.
The road safety amendments, now accepted by Ministers in
Parliament, will allow Network Rail to make recommendations for roads at level
crossings.
At the moment, most local authorities have the choice as to
whether recommended road improvements close to level crossings should be
implemented.
According to Network Rail, most local authorities refuse the
recommended road improvements. Commenting on this in 2005, Chris
Rumfitt, Network Rail's Head of External Communications said:
“Unless they are compelled to they won't because they don't
see the level crossings as their risk to manage."
The agreed amendment to the Road Safety Bill will provide
Network Rail with a say in such areas as raised strips on level crossing
approach roads and bollards to prevent cars from weaving around closing
barriers. Central barriers and anti-skid surfaces will also be put
in place.
Approximately 1,600 of the total of 8,000 level crossings on the
British rail network are positioned on roads and as a consequence of the
Government support of the new Road Safety Bill, Network Rail have agreed to a
£10million per year cost towards such road-works.
The Railway Groups Level Crossings Performance Report for July
2005 can be accessed, in pdf format, by clicking the following:
RSSB Level Crossing Performance Report July 2005
Article by Alexandra Johnston
 Click Here to
Email This Article To a Friend
|
