Urgent action has been called for after a car and a Metro train crashed on a level crossing in Newcastle that has been branded “not fit for purpose”.
A Kia hatchback collided with a Metro train next to Callerton Parkway station on Thursday morning, with services suspended as recovery teams removed the damaged vehicle from the train tracks. While nobody was seriously injured in the incident, it is far from the first time that the level crossing on Callerton Lane has been at the centre of drama.
There were similar scenes in 2020, 2013, and 2007, while back in 1999 former Newcastle United defender Andy Griffin was involved in a crash between a train and his Porsche there. Unlike many railway crossings, there are no barriers that come down to block the Metro track at Callerton – with only warning signs and flashing lights to warn drivers that a train is approaching.
Read More: Lucky escape after car collides with Metro train on level crossing at Callerton Parkway Station
After the latest collision on Thursday, local politicians have urged Metro operator Nexus to take steps to ensure there is not another repeat. However, transport chiefs have insisted that the crossing is safe and claim the installation of barriers is “not something that’s practical”.
Callerton and Throckley councillor Ian Donaldson, of the Newcastle Independents party, said: “It is clear that having a crossing where Metro trains and cars are separated only by lights is not fit for purpose. After this latest incident, an urgent review of the safety of all Metro crossings needs to take place. “
Liberal Democrat Thom Campion added that it was “surprising” that barriers had not already been installed given the number of crashes at Callerton Parkway over the years. The opposition party transport spokesman, who represents the neighbouring Castle ward, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I hope this is the last accident that happens before Nexus takes the steps required to stop this happening again. The warning signs of another incident have been there for years, we need actions not apologies before someone is seriously hurt."
Nexus had previously installed a special camera to catch any drivers trying to jump the red lights at the crossing – something that caught out former NUFC player and coach Terry McDermott, who was prosecuted for ignoring the stop signals in 2009. The Metro crossing in East Boldon does have barriers because it is on a section of the line operated by Network Rail, but Nexus has five ‘open’ crossings at Callerton Parkway, Bank Foot, Kingston Park, Fawdon, and Howdon.
Adam Walker, who is standing for Labour in the Callerton and Throckley ward at May’s local elections, said: “I am relieved to hear that no one was seriously injured in the incident involving a car and a Metro train at Callerton Parkway. While we await the outcome of any investigation into what happened, I have already reached out to the council and will be in contact with Nexus about what additional infrastructure can be installed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.”
Nexus has argued that installing barriers at its crossings in Newcastle and North Tyneside would lead to extra traffic congestion, while it is understand that the cost of doing so would be around £2m for every location. The Metro’s infrastructure director, Stuart Clarke, said that each of Nexus’ level crossings “have been rigorously assessed within the last year and they meet the required safety standards”.
He added: “Our road crossings have very clear red traffic lights to tell motorists they must stop when a train is approaching. They have all been refurbished in the past few years. Measures include new warning lights for pedestrians, brighter stop lights for motorists, clearer road signs, road markings and tactile paving for the visually impaired. Almost all level crossing risk is caused by the behaviour of people using the crossing, and we urge motorists to take due care and stop when they see a red light, in line with the Highway Code and the law.
“The installation of barriers at Metro level crossings is not something that’s practical in the urban areas we serve – it would mean crossings being ‘closed’ to traffic for around 12 minutes more every hour on busy roads. As the crossings are adjacent to stations Metro trains travel slowly across them so the risk of serious injury is reduced for motorists who do drive through a red light.
“I understand the concerns local councillors may have when a road accident happens at a level crossing, and I’d be happy to talk them through what we do to keep everyone safe.”
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