The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its reports today into two collisions between trains and road vehicles on the Leighton Buzzard narrow gauge railway, on 25 March and 25 August 2007.
The full report into the 25 March incident is available here:
The full report into the 25 August incident is available here:
A summary of the key points from the reports is included below.
Summary
On Sunday 25 March 2007 a train on the Leighton Buzzard Railway collided with a car at low speed on a level crossing at Shenley Hill Road, on the outskirts of Leighton Buzzard. There were no injuries caused by the accident, and the car and train received only superficial damage.
On Saturday 25 August 2007 a train on the Leighton Buzzard Railway collided with a tractor at low speed on Cavalry Horse User Worked Crossing, on the outskirts of Leighton Buzzard. One passenger was slightly injured, and damage was caused to the locomotive and the tractor.
The immediate cause of the first incident was the car driver failing to stop at the give way sign immediately before the level crossing. Contributory factors to the driver’s failure to stop were his inability to see the train due to excess vegetation around the highway, his possible distraction by passengers, his perception of the crossing, and the presence of another road vehicle as he approached the crossing.
The immediate cause of the second incident was the tractor driving onto the crossing when a train was approaching. Causal factors were the inadequate visibility for road vehicles and the lack of recent vegetation cutting at the crossing, and a contributory factor was the lack of briefing for the owner of the field. The underlying cause was the Leighton Buzzard Railway’s lack of understanding of the need to assess and maintain visibility for road users on farm crossings.
Recommendations
The RAIB has made three recommendations as a result of the first incident, targeted at Bedfordshire County Council and Leighton Buzzard Railway, and two recommendations as a result of the second incident, aimed at Leighton Buzzard Railway. These involve:
- the operation and visibility of crossings;
- the management of vegetation; and
- signage at level crossings.
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 6984.
Newsdate: 19 December 2007
