Planned rail strikes could leave farmers and growers facing extra risks at unmanned level crossings, Network Rail has warned.
Many of the UK’s 2,000 “user-worked crossings” traverse farmland or are on footpaths and small rural roads. They are high risk because there is no automatic signalling system.
Instead they rely on the user to contact the rail operator by telephone to get permission to cross the track. But about one-third of railway line fatalities occur on this type of crossing each year.
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According to government data, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) trade union strikes are coming at the worst time of the year when crossings are used more frequently by heavy, long vehicles engaged in harvest or field work.
However, despite this risk, the RMT warned that its signalmen may not be manning phone lines during forthcoming strikes.
Network Rail said crossing users could find that phone line requests for permission to cross the railway will go unanswered from 21 June.
It has put in place an alternative system that must be followed if the initial call is not picked up.
Instructions for the back-up process will be highlighted using posters or stickers close to the yellow telephone at the crossings.
Level-crossing users must:
- Call the signaller as normal
- If there is no answer, make a second call to the number provided on the additional notice at the yellow phone box
- A recorded message will say whether it is safe to cross or will provide further instruction.
Network Rail stressed that trains could still be running even if a call is unanswered.
In this case, the track must not be crossed until permission is given. For further information, contact the 24-hour Network Rail helpline 03457 11 41 41.
