The UK’s rail operator has warned that more people could die on hugely expensive level crossings unless they are all scrapped – at huge cost and disruption.
Network Rail cast doubt yesterday over its ability to meet a proposed new target of “zero” fatalities at the junctions by 2020.
MPs on the transport select committee at Westminster recommended setting the target as part of a scathing report last month, in which Network Rail was also accused of showing a “callous disregard” for families bereaved in level crossing tragedies.
The operator immediately apologised to those affected in the wake of the report’s publication.
However, in its official response to the recommendations yesterday, Network Rail pinned the blame for the accidents on decisions taken more than a century ago.
It said: “The harsh reality is that the 6,400 or so level crossings on our railway today are a legacy from an era when roads were for horse-drawn carriages and rail was for an occasional slow steam train.
“The world is now very different, but decisions taken over 100 years ago are still affecting the safety of the public today.”
It added: “The solution to eliminating risk completely would, of course, be to close all crossings but this is a challenge society is unlikely to be able to afford and the resources needed would be disproportionate when compared with addressing the risks facing the public on the road network, for example.”
Addressing the zero-fatalities aim, it said “delivering on this target year-on-year would require a programme of crossing closures which would have significant social and economic costs”, adding that it could require businesses to be demolished to accommodate bridges, or bypasses to be constructed to provide alternative routes.
David Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has campaigned for action on north level crossings. “I think we should always be targeting no accidents and deaths as far as is possible, although it would obviously be very difficult,” he said.
“In the Highland context, I’m very pleased we have put in barriers at nearly all of them, and that will make a real difference. I’m sure proof of that will be seen in the coming years.
“Certainly we should be moving to no crossings at all, but obviously that is going to take a bit of time.”
Labour’s shadow transport secretary, Mary Creagh, said: “We welcome NR’s apology for failing to ensure public safety at level crossings.
“Now we need action, not just words, to close level crossings where possible and reduce public risk further by using new technologies.”
A UK Government Department for Transport spokesman said: “Any death caused by an accident on a level crossing is a tragedy. The UK already has the best level crossing safety record in Europe but we recognise more can be done.”