Railways are full of hidden dangers
sir – I have witnessed the personal tragedy of accidents and deliberate misuse at level crossings, and I can categorically tell you it’s not fun, for anyone (Leading Article, June 29).
Mixing 600 tons of steel travelling at up to 125mph, which can’t swerve and takes over a mile to stop, with people and vehicles is intrinsically dangerous – let alone the many parts of our railway with a third rail at 750 volts or overhead wires at 25,000 volts.
Railways are full of obvious and hidden dangers and are lethal for graffiti artists, kids using them as shortcuts, and the selfie-takers of Matlock.
The railway tries to build in all kinds of extra safety features at crossings, from notice boards to lights and barriers, but all carry various degrees of risk, and that risk grows exponentially when misunderstood, misused or abused.
I’ve talked to parents who have lost their child at a level crossing and I never want to have to do so again. Level crossings are not, and should never ever be regarded as fun, but you are right to describe them as dangerous. Please, please always take care when you come across one, for everyone’s sake. Mark Carne
Chief Executive, Network Rail