news
ORR tO caRRy Out Safety NEWS IN BRIEF
checKS at level cROSSingS
ClapHam upGrade beGins
Work has started to refurbish
Clapham South station on London
All non-barrier open level ‘in view of the specific risks at this said: ‘We welcome this. Level Underground’s Northern Line. Built
crossings are to be inspected by type of crossing’. crossings are safe. The vast in 1926, it is one of only eight
the Office of Rail Regulation over Chief executive Bill Emery said: majority of incidents at level stations on the network to have a
the next 12 months, as part of a ‘We are committed to making our crossings – in fact more than 95 World War Two air shelter for 8,000
new safety campaign. regulation of the railways focused per cent – are caused by motorist people beneath it.
The initiative also included a and effective, supporting industry or pedestrian misuse or error.
recommendation to increase the with advice and guidance, and We will work closely with msp CHoses rail over air
penalties for vehicle drivers who enforcing where appropriate with the ORR to implement any A Scottish delegate insisted on
jump level crossings. The request a view to achieving our vision deliverable and sensible changes taking the train to last month’s
has gone to the Sentencing of zero workforce and industry- that would make further positive climate change summit in
Guidelines Council. The ORR also caused passenger fatalities, with improvements.’ Copenhagen, while colleagues from
said it would continue to support an ever decreasing overall safety Network Rail added that it was rival parties went by air. Green
the Law Commission’s work to risk.’ already reviewing line speeds at MSP Patrick Harvie was obliged
‘update level crossing legislation He commended Network Rail’s automatic open crossings. to pay more than £400 towards
so that it is fit for purpose for the initiative to close 350 lightly used ORR also reported that delays his 24-hour rail trip from Glasgow,
21st century’. level crossings and its recent Don’t to passenger trains caused by which went via London, Brussels and
The ORR will publish revised Run the Risk publicity campaign. Network Rail were down 7.7 per Cologne.
guidance on level crossings by A Network Rail spokesman cent over the last 12 months.
next spring. ‘oysterisation’ spreads to
.uk
There are 128 automatic open national rail
es.co
level crossings. The crossings are After years of wrangling between
protected by road traffic signals
.r
ailimag
TfL and train operating companies,
and audible warnings, but have no
www
holders of the pre-paid Oyster
barriers. They will all be inspected cards will be able to use them on
to ensure that risks are managed national rail services around the
in compliance with safety Greater London area from January
legislation. 2 2010. London Mayor Boris
The ORR has advised Network Johnson has described the move as
Rail to review line speeds at all ‘Oysterisation’.
the open crossings in line with
industry guidelines and to develop traCk worker killed
a programme for upgrading them A railway track worker, taken
to Leeds General Infirmary by
ambulance after being hit by an
TuBE ovERcRoWdINg aT
empty train returning to a depot,
later died. British Transport Police
said police were investigating how
‘ShockINg lEvElS’
the 60-year-old man came to be
struck by a Northern Rail train at
Whitehall Junction, Wortley, near
by peter brown Among committee proposals are work is managed. We cannot have Leeds. RAIB has been informed
Passengers using London’s a traffic light system measuring a repeat of the way the Jubilee Line
underground system are suffering crowding in a train and alternative upgrade works have been handed eurotunnel buys frenCH
‘shocking levels of overcrowding’ routes being offered at barriers. when it comes to upgrading other freiGHt business
and are not being considered Caroline Pidgeon, chair of the lines.’ Eurotunnel is to become one
when closures are put in place for Transport Committee said: ‘Our She went on: ‘There is an of France’s biggest rail freight
upgrades, a report has found. report highlights shocking levels assumption that seemingly endless operators, buying Veolia Transport’s
The report, Too Close for Comfort, of overcrowding on the Tube and line closures are inevitable, but as freight business. Veolia’s freight
was published by the London the impact this has on people. our report and the evidence from business outside France is being sold
Assembly Transport Committee London Underground cannot be Madrid shows, this is simply not to SNCF. Competition regulations
on Tuesday 1 December. Many complacent about finding ways to the case.’ prevented the state-owned train
passengers admitted their make the situation more bearable. The committee wants passenger operator from purchasing the work
personality changed for the worse ‘We are also calling for new priority given for all future within France.
in crowded trains. thinking on how Tube upgrade upgrades and closures.
JANUARY 2010 : rail professional 11
RPJan10 pp10-11 news.indd 11 10/12/09 15:15:34
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