Families of the victims of level-crossing tragedies finally received an apology from Network Rail yesterday as MPs warned hundreds of the junctions could still be death traps.
The rail operator was ordered to say sorry after a scathing new report by Westminster’s transport committee accused it of showing “callous disregard” towards bereaved loved ones.
Relatives of victims of level crossing accidents in the north of Scotland welcomed the MPs’ verdict last night.
Among a series of allegations of ill-treatment, Network Rail was accused of withholding key documents from court, and making false accusations that victims had “misused” crossings or trespassed on railway land.
The committee also said:
Hundreds of crossings may still exceed guidance on the acceptable level of public fatality risk.
Network Rail should be more transparent about its assessment of the risk.
Network Rail should continue to employ level crossing managers to focus on improving safety.
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) may not have enough appropriately qualified staff to provide adequate inspection of the rail network.
A new target of zero level crossing fatalities should be adopted and reached by 2020.
There have been several major accidents at open level crossings in the north in recent years.
In 2007, Tain teenagers Paul Oliver and Alan Thain died after the car they were travelling in was hit by a train at Delny level crossing in Easter Ross.
Pensioners Angus MacKay and his wife Margaret, both 81, and Mr MacKay’s brother Donnie, 66, from Latheron, were killed when their car was struck by a train at Halkirk in Caithness in 2009.
Sarah Jappy was seriously injured in an accident at the same crossing in 2002.
Transport committee chairwoman Louise Ellman said: “Every one of those deaths was a personal tragedy which could have been averted.
“Yet looking back it’s clear that on too many occasions Network Rail showed a callous disregard for the feelings of the families of people killed or seriously injured in accidents at level crossings.
“Victims were erroneously described as ‘trespassers’ or accused of ‘misuse’ of the railway when, in fact, they tried to use level crossings appropriately.
“Network Rail’s chief executive must provide a full, public apology to all of the families it has let down – both for the mistakes which contributed to the accidental deaths and for the subsequent treatment of bereaved families.”
Network Rail chief executive, Mark Carne, moved quickly to issue an apology yesterday.
He said: “Today, I wish to extend a full and unreserved apology on behalf of Network Rail to all those whose life has been touched by a failing, however large or small, made by this company in managing public safety at level crossings and in failing to deal sensitively with the families affected.
“Nothing we can say or do will lessen the pain felt by the families of those killed or injured at a level crossing.
“Today, Network Rail is a very different company to the one which existed at the time of these tragic accidents.”
Ian Prosser, the Office of Rail Regulation’s railway safety director, said: “I echo sentiments in the committee’s report on safety at level crossings that each and every death at a level crossing is a personal tragedy.
“We are focused on working with Network Rail, local and national governments, industry and the public to close level crossings and minimise the risks.”
Bob Crow, leader of the RMT transport union, said: “There is no excuse in the modern age for mixing road with rail at level crossings and we will continue to fight relentlessly for the speedy phasing out of these death traps.
“Every single level crossing presents a risk to life for both the public and rail staff and any political pressure that helps send this 19th century solution into the history books where it belongs is welcome.”
John Thurso, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said: “The transport select committee has done a great service in underlining the failures of Network Rail in respect of level crossings.
“In the far north, we have at last seen action with barriers being put in. But for the families of the many who have lost their lives, it will be cold comfort.
“The apology will be welcome, even if it is late.”
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