'One of the UK's highest ever fines' for level crossing misuse slapped on men in Co Londonderry case - Translink
Translink has made tracks to what the public transport firm states is “one of the largest fines” the UK has ever seen for level crossing misuse.
Two men were hit with fines totalling a combined £15,000 plus legal costs for misusing a crossing in the Limavady area, one of the men ordered to pay £10,000 and the other £5,000.
According to Translink, both defendants were found guilty of contempt of court for breaching previous undertakings relating to the misuse of the crossing.
The specific case involved what’s called a ‘user worked crossing’, which doesn’t have automatic barriers and is often employed on private roads. Anyone seeking to cross is personally responsible for manually opening the gates, checking for trains, and closing the gates behind them.
Translink did not specify the precise details of the Co Londonderry case, but released information about the fines to spotlight International Level Crossing Awareness Day today.
The firm’s level crossing risk manager, Keith Pollock, stated that although the majority of people using level crossings obey safety instructions, Translink is “forced to take action” when facilities are misused.
“Safety is always our top priority, and we want to maintain our high safety standards for our crossing users, customers, staff and the wider public,” he said. “Level crossing safety is of the utmost importance and the rules are simple. People can put themselves and others at risk by not using railway crossings properly.
“We encourage user worked crossing owners to make sure anyone using their crossing is familiar with the essential processes and to take further steps to ensure continued safety, for example during busy harvest season.”
All members of the public approaching railway crossings, he added, should “follow the instructions, remain vigilant, pay attention to warning lights and notices, and stop at a closing barrier”.
He said: “We urge drivers and pedestrians to heed the information signs, understand the warnings and stop until it is safe to proceed.
“Any temptation to ignore warning lights and try to rush through closing barriers puts lives at risk. Translink is working closely with the PSNI to identify and prosecute individuals who are taking this risk.”
PSNI chief inspector Celeste Simpson, the force’s head of road policing, reinforced that “level crossings and warning lights are there for good reason”.
“Failing to use them correctly not only endangers those who choose to ignore or misuse them, but it also risks the lives of rail passengers, staff and other members of the public,” she stated.
“To drivers and pedestrians, always follow the rules in respect of level crossings. Pay attention to the signs, understand them, be patient and never cross until it is safe to do so. One poor decision, which can be easily avoided, can have life-changing consequences”.
Translink has also established a partnership with the Rail Safety and Standards Board in Great Britain, which the firm states shows “the importance attached to delivering safe, reliable, and future-ready rail services for passengers across our network”.
The alliance also lets the transport firm draw on expertise and innovation from across the UK’s rail industry, which its states will “strengthen safety, support service performance, and deliver the highest of standards”.