Drivers risking their lives at rail 'hot spot' (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Drivers risking their lives at rail 'hot spot'

A RAILWAY crossing in the Vale has been named as a West Midlands "hot spot" where drivers risk their lives to beat the lights.

As many as 50 separate incidents were reported at the fully automated crossing at Littleton/Badsey near the Blackminster Business Park in the last year alone.

And Ben Herbert, media relations manager for Network Rail, revealed that there had been two incidents on Tuesday this week.

"This is a crossing where there has been widespread vehicle misuse with motorists jumping lights," he said. "There have been several incidents of the level crossing barriers being damaged by cars which had jumped the lights."

The "naming and shaming" took place as Network Rail launched a major national advertising campaign to highlight the dangers of crossing misuse.

The £3 million campaign will include extensive national and local advertising and more than a million household will be targeted to receive information leaflets.

The hard-hitting advertisements are an element of the most extensive public safety campaigns ever run by the rail industry. The message is simple - level crossings are safe if used correctly - but if you run the risk it could be fatal.

John Armitt, chief executive of Network Rail, said: "Too many people died at level crossings every year - it is a senseless waste of life.

"The seriousness we attach to this campaign is indicated by the extensive investment. It aims to shake the complacency of level crossing users who endanger themselves and others. We are telling them not to run the risk."

The campaign is specifically targeted at "hot spots" - places where there are higher numbers of level crossing incidents.

It is being run in conjunction with a number of other initiatives including the development of obstacle detection systems and lower cost level crossing systems.

The crossing at Blackminster is fully automated with CCTV cameras.