The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) today released its report into the accident at Fairfield footpath level crossing, near Little Bedwyn, Wiltshire, on 6 May 2009, which caused the death of a female member of the public.
A full copy of the report is available here:
Summary
At about 17:30 hrs on 6 May 2009 the 17:08 hrs First Great Western train from Newbury to Bedwyn, which was travelling at about 69 mph, struck a pedestrian on the footpath level crossing known as Fairfield crossing, near the village of Little Bedwyn, Wiltshire. The pedestrian, and one of the two dogs that were with her, was fatally injured.
Factors judged as possibly relevant to the accident included:
- that pedestrians approaching the crossing from one side may have used the longer view of approaching trains obtainable from a position a short distance back from the gate on that side;
- the absence of ‘whistle’ boards (which instruct drivers to sound the train’s warning horn) on the approach to the crossing;
- the absence of an adequate risk assessment for the level crossing which should have identified the inadequate protection for users and led to improvements;
- the difficulty of closing the level crossing (which had been attempted in 1973 and 1991 without success), and its continued availability to members of the public as a footpath; and
- that as she approached the crossing, the pedestrian may have been distracted when making her decision to cross the line by the presence of her dogs.
The investigation also identified several deficiencies in the way in which Network Rail has been assessing and managing the risks at footpath crossings, which were not factors in this accident but which may increase the risk of accidents in the future. Since the accident, Network Rail has added ‘whistle’ boards on both the approaches to Fairfield crossing, and renewed the surface of the crossing. Network Rail also reports that it:
- is revising its procedures for the actions to be taken following inspections of level crossings;
- is improving the information that it provides to its staff on the necessary warning times and sighting distances that should be achieved at level crossings;
- has reviewed the sighting distances at level crossings on its Western route;
- is undertaking an audit of the level crossing inspection and maintenance arrangements on the Western route; and
- is modifying the risk model that it uses in the assessment of level crossings to highlight crossings where the available warning time is less that the time required to cross the tracks.
Recommendations
As a consequence of this accident, the RAIB has made three recommendations targeted at Network Rail, covering the following areas:
- the way it manages the risk to users of footpath crossings, particularly the provision of clear guidance to staff assessing crossings on sub-standard sighting and the action they should take if it is identified during data collection or assessment;
- modification of the level crossing risk model to improve its sensitivity to low sighting times; and
- provision of guidance to its staff assessing crossings on methods of marking the point at which level crossing users should stand to get the best view to enable them to make their decision to cross the track.
Notes to editors
1. The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety. The RAIB does not establish blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.
2. For media enquiries, please call 020 7944 3248.
Newsdate: 12 May 2010
