Toddlers have been left unattended on a train track in Nottinghamshire in incidents described as 'worrying' by Network Rail. The organisation is now set to host a safety session as clips of the incidents at the Chestnut Grove level crossing, in Burton Joyce, were caught on camera.
Dogs have also been seen off their leads on the footpath crossing the Nottingham to Lincoln railway line, which has around 70 trains travelling on it each day at high speeds. Anna Ebblewhite, Level Crossing Manager for Network Rail, said: “We’ve seen some incredibly worrying behaviour at Burton Joyce level crossing, which shows just how unaware some residents are of how dangerous the railway can be.
“That’s why we’re delivering this interactive session to help residents understand how to use the crossing safely, and ultimately improve safety amongst the community. I really hope that people join us this Saturday - we’ll have experts on hand to answer your questions.”
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The three-hour safety session on Saturday, October 15, has been organised with support from East Midlands Railway, Nottingham County Council and the Burton Joyce Parish Council, to engage with the community and offer tips on how to stay safe around the railway. These tips include concentrating and crossing quickly, whilst keeping children close and dogs on a lead.
The session will be held in a marquee at the Nelson Pub in Burton Joyce, and take place between 10am and 1pm.
Laurence King, chairman of Burton Joyce Parish Council, said: “This is a very important issue for residents and visitors to the village. We are looking to work with Network Rail and others to understand the causes, improve public education, safety signage and infrastructure improvements, to significantly reduce the potential for unsafe behaviour and the consequent effect on rail staff and network operation”.
Councillor Mike Adams, of Gedling Borough Council, added: “Living in the village and using the railway crossings regularly for family walks by the river, we recognise its importance to our village. The risks being taken currently by some, while crossing the railway are frightening to see on the replays from the cameras on site.
"We risk losing this incredible asset if we don’t get better at using it. Please come along to the education day and help us all learn how to better protect the residents we all care about.”
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