London Northwestern Class 350 collides with a van on crossing

[boxerdog]

A London Northwestern Class 350 has collided with a van on a a level crossing close to Alsager earlier today.

https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/23315343.rail-disruption-train-van-cheshire/

A TRAIN has hit a van in Cheshire.
The incident occurred at 1.05pm today, Saturday, on the line between Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent.
The collision occurred as the train was approaching Alsager, approximately 500 metres from the station.
Police and fire crews are currently at the scene on Hall Drive, Alsager.
It has not yet been confirmed whether there are any casualties.

 

[Spartacus]

That crossing has a very clear 'Park here and use phone at crossing' sign, which wasn't done, as well as the usual, and oft criticised 'Stop' and the rest in small print.

Driver of the van attempted to reverse off and ended up losing little more than his bumper to the 350.

 

[Watershed]

That crossing has a very clear 'Park here and use phone at crossing' sign, which wasn't done, as well as the usual, and oft criticised 'Stop' and the rest in small print.

Driver of the van attempted to reverse off and ended up losing little more than his bumper to the 350.

Notable how this was a parcel delivery van once again. The near impossible targets which their drivers are usually set encourage risk-taking, even for those who understand the correct procedures.

That being said, prevention is also better than cure - so what is NR doing to improve these crossings by making signage clearer and crucially, using maglocks to stop people from opening the gates until they've phoned?

 

[william.martin]

The unit involved was 350114 working 2G50 from Crewe to Birmingham New Street.

 

[185]

That (unnecessary) user worked crossing should totally close. The adjacent underpass tunnel is high enough for most transit size vans. The properties (5 residential, 1 residential & small business) which require that tunnel & crossing should really be forced to use the back lanes and access the overbridge 550m further west if using overheight vehicles.

 

[The Planner]

That (unnecessary) user worked crossing should totally close. The adjacent underpass tunnel is high enough for most transit size vans. The properties (5 residential, 1 residential & small business) which require that tunnel & crossing should really be forced to use the back lanes and access the overbridge 550m further west if using overheight vehicles.

I am sure one is going as part of Alsager resignalling, but its nearer Crewe.

 

[Ediswan]

That (unnecessary) user worked crossing should totally close. The adjacent underpass tunnel is high enough for most transit size vans. The properties (5 residential, 1 residential & small business) which require that tunnel & crossing should really be forced to use the back lanes and access the overbridge 550m further west if using overheight vehicles.

Looking at Ordnance Survey and OpenStreetMap, the only road access to those properties is via the tunnel/crossing in question.

OS - Closer to definitive
OSM - Usually show the true nature of what exists on the ground (red dots are footways)

 

[Baxenden Bank]

That (unnecessary) user worked crossing should totally close. The adjacent underpass tunnel is high enough for most transit size vans. The properties (5 residential, 1 residential & small business) which require that tunnel & crossing should really be forced to use the back lanes and access the overbridge 550m further west if using overheight vehicles.

I can't see any alternative tracks, however rough, to the bridge to the west. Of course, if Network Rail wishes to close the crossing it is welcome to pay for such an access track, or a new overbridge / deeper underbridge at the current location.

 

[Starmill]

That (unnecessary) user worked crossing should totally close. The adjacent underpass tunnel is high enough for most transit size vans. The properties (5 residential, 1 residential & small business) which require that tunnel & crossing should really be forced to use the back lanes and access the overbridge 550m further west if using overheight vehicles.

Unfortunately while this would so obviously be preferable for the railway here, it's not really politically acceptable to just impose the crossing closure without consultation, thorough consideration of the alternatives, and ultimately if Network Rail wish to press ahead, formal process. Just look at the enormous fuss the closure of the crossing at Deganwy has caused. This may be frustrating but I'm sure you'd appreciate it if it were your property affected. A cheaper solution might be available at this location.

 

[alxndr]

I note that I can't find anywhere on the website of the fishery down there about how to properly access the site. Nor does the bridge height look to be well marked, although Google Streetview is fairly poor there so someone with local knowledge might know better than me. People are inherently lazy creatures, I doubt someone would go to the effort of opening and closing gates if they thought they could go under the bridge, especially if there was only one person in the vehicle (means getting out the van twice to operate gates and means there's no one to watch the vehicle under to see if it might fit).

 

[Spartacus]

That (unnecessary) user worked crossing should totally close. The adjacent underpass tunnel is high enough for most transit size vans. The properties (5 residential, 1 residential & small business) which require that tunnel & crossing should really be forced to use the back lanes and access the overbridge 550m further west if using overheight vehicles.

With no back lanes, only footpaths, that’s not possible, if nothing else the crossing needs to remain for emergency vehicles, I can’t imagine the average fire engine would fit through that tunnel, probably issues for many ambulances too.

 

[edwin_m]

Notable how this was a parcel delivery van once again. The near impossible targets which their drivers are usually set encourage risk-taking, even for those who understand the correct procedures.

That being said, prevention is also better than cure - so what is NR doing to improve these crossings by making signage clearer and crucially, using maglocks to stop people from opening the gates until they've phoned?

When most of these user-worked crossings came into being, most visitors would have been "regulars" like the milkman and the postman, usually the same person each day and they would become familar with the crossing. There are now many more businesses that might need to visit a property, and most of them will send whoever is available rather than having a dedicated person for each "run". So the old practice of the "authorised user" briefing their visitors is no longer viable and the industry recognises this.

As to signage, please see https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-signage-at-private-level-crossings

This consultation proposes replacing existing signs at private level crossings on railways in Great Britain with new signs that more clearly and unambiguously convey information to users.

This should lead to better public understanding and the safer use of these crossings.

The consultation is finished, but there is lots of background information and potential example signs in the attachment. Locks create a hazard if they prevent people who have entered a crossing from leaving it if a train approaches, but I'm glad to see that the Power Operated Gate Opening system has been modified so the gate opening button only works when the green road traffic light is lit.

User Worked Level Crossings - Development of POGO with links to MSL

Railway Gazette is reporting on a development for POGO (Power Operated Gate Opener) user worked level crossings with links to MSL (Miniature Stop Lights). https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/user-worked-crossing-gates-and-lights-linked/54800.article In what Network Rail said was a first, the...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Baxenden Bank]

The question is, which is better?
Open the near gate, cross on foot (1st crossing), open far gate, cross back on foot (2nd), drive van across (3rd), cross on foot (4th) to close initial gate, cross on foot (5th time), close final gate then get in vehicle and drive off. Repeat a couple of minutes later having dropped off the package (or delivered milk or whatever).
Or, don't have gates just 'stop and look both ways' signs along with good visibility of oncoming trains which only requires a single crossing of the tracks.

News update:
Stoke-on-Trent Live

Van driver arrested after crash with train cancels services

A total of 47 passengers were on the train when the incident took place in Alsager

Police arrested a van driver following a collision between his vehicle and a train. Network Rail say the vehicle 'glanced the side' of a train as it made its way through Alsager.

And the incident - which took place just before 1.15pm on Saturday - resulted in 47 passengers who were on board eventually having to get off with other services suspended. Today British Transport Police say the van driver was later arrested.

StokeonTrentLive had reported how the collision occurred on the crossing around half-a-mile from Alsager train station. The incident saw police, firefighters and engineers called out.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Officers were called to the line in Alsager at 1.13pm on February 11 following reports that a van had been hit by a train. Thankfully no one was injured however the driver was arrested at the scene."

Officers say the driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and endangering the safety of the railway. He was since released on police bail while inquiries continue.

The smash resulted in services between Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent being suspended until just after 3.40pm when the line reopened. Engineers were sent to the scene to repair some 'minor damage' to the underside of the London Northwestern train so it could be moved to Alsager station where passengers disembarked at 3.25pm.

Lucy Jordan, Network Rail’s North West route head of safety, health and environment, said: “Our urgent response teams worked with the emergency services on Saturday lunchtime after a delivery van collided with a train at a private level crossing near Alsager. The front of the van glanced the side of a Crewe to Birmingham service with 47 passengers on board. It is extremely lucky no one was injured. Once minor repairs were made to the train and it was deemed safe, it was moved to Alsager station so all passengers could disembark.

“Failing to follow clear signage at level crossings undoubtedly puts lives at risk, and we will assist the British Transport Police in every way we can in their investigation.”

 

[Llanigraham]

The question is, which is better?
Open the near gate, cross on foot (1st crossing), open far gate, cross back on foot (2nd), drive van across (3rd), cross on foot (4th) to close initial gate, cross on foot (5th time), close final gate then get in vehicle and drive off. Repeat a couple of minutes later having dropped off the package (or delivered milk or whatever).
Or, don't have gates just 'stop and look both ways' signs along with good visibility of oncoming trains which only requires a single crossing of the tracks.

News update:
Stoke-on-Trent Live

And what happens when you can't provide this good visibility?
I can assure you that there are plenty of UWCs on curves, or wooded areas where that is impossible to provide.

And yes the safest method is:
ring signaller for approval to cross if there are no red/green lgate ights
open near gate
open far gate
return and drive vehicle over
walk back and close first gate
walk back and close other gate
drive off.

There are numerous incidents reported where drivers have not done this and driven onto the track before opening the far gate and then been hit.

 

[Meerkat]

The question is, which is better?
Open the near gate, cross on foot (1st crossing), open far gate, cross back on foot (2nd), drive van across (3rd), cross on foot (4th) to close initial gate, cross on foot (5th time), close final gate then get in vehicle and drive off. Repeat a couple of minutes later having dropped off the package (or delivered milk or whatever).
Or, don't have gates just 'stop and look both ways' signs along with good visibility of oncoming trains which only requires a single crossing of the tracks.

News update:
Stoke-on-Trent Live

Driving while disqualified - wasn't he driving a branded delivery company van?!
I guess without asking to see the driver's licence every day there isn't much they can do to know one has been disqualified whilst employed?
He probably just put the hazards on, because that apparently makes van drivers immune from prosecution for stopping wherever they like.

 

[trundlewagon]

I guess without asking to see the driver's licence every day there isn't much they can do to know one has been disqualified whilst employed?

They should be periodically carrying out licence checks. Think we did them every 6 months or so at my old employer but obviously a lot can happen in that time. We then moved to a system that automatically monitored them for any new points, etc - I'm surprised a company with as many drivers as DPD isn't using a system like that.

 

[Meerkat]

They should be periodically carrying out licence checks. Think we did them every 6 months or so at my old employer but obviously a lot can happen in that time. We then moved to a system that automatically monitored them for any new points, etc - I'm surprised a company with as many drivers as DPD isn't using a system like that.

How do you auto monitor - can you get access to the DVLA database?

 

[185]

Most courier firms in modern Britain now use 'self employed', 'concessionaire' and 'gig economy employer' staffing excuses to not actually employ the staff and remove themselves of any legal responsibility. Still, with their name splashed all over the media (albeit blurred out inexplicably) you'd think they'd have made a statement to the press regarding how a van with one of their names on endangered the public.

 

[philthetube]

Looking at the map provided it would have been quicker for the van driver to carry the parcel to the buildings than use the gates.

four gates to open and close, 2 calls to the signaller, wait for trains etc, would take a long time.

 

[trundlewagon]

How do you auto monitor - can you get access to the DVLA database?

It was an external company that we used - can't remember their name - but yes, DVLA have a database that they were subscribed to that effectively meant 24/7 licence monitoring

 

[66701GBRF]

It was an external company that we used - can't remember their name - but yes, DVLA have a database that they were subscribed to that effectively meant 24/7 licence monitoring

We use such systems/companies. Used to be Leasedrive and Intelligent Data Systems now its Riskmaster. Get an email once a year saying they have checked our licences and ok to drive company vehicles.

 

[Spartacus]

When most of these user-worked crossings came into being, most visitors would have been "regulars" like the milkman and the postman, usually the same person each day and they would become familar with the crossing. There are now many more businesses that might need to visit a property, and most of them will send whoever is available rather than having a dedicated person for each "run". So the old practice of the "authorised user" briefing their visitors is no longer viable and the industry recognises this.

As to signage, please see https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-signage-at-private-level-crossings

The consultation is finished, but there is lots of background information and potential example signs in the attachment. Locks create a hazard if they prevent people who have entered a crossing from leaving it if a train approaches, but I'm glad to see that the Power Operated Gate Opening system has been modified so the gate opening button only works when the green road traffic light is lit.

User Worked Level Crossings - Development of POGO with links to MSL

Railway Gazette is reporting on a development for POGO (Power Operated Gate Opener) user worked level crossings with links to MSL (Miniature Stop Lights). https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/user-worked-crossing-gates-and-lights-linked/54800.article In what Network Rail said was a first, the...

www.railforums.co.uk

In fairness the 'Park here and use phone at crossing' instruction here is pretty clear, a lot better than the old standard 'small print' ones.

It was an external company that we used - can't remember their name - but yes, DVLA have a database that they were subscribed to that effectively meant 24/7 licence monitoring

This was a big, international company, I'd hope, nay expect them to be signed up similarly. They really should be better regulation, there far too many of these type of incidents, not only on the railway.

 

[najaB]

Looking at the map provided it would have been quicker for the van driver to carry the parcel to the buildings than use the gates.

If they were light enough, I agree.

 

[InOban]

Or the parcel wasn't for the 'big house ' at the end of the drive.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

In fairness the 'Park here and use phone at crossing' instruction here is pretty clear, a lot better than the old standard 'small print' ones.



This was a big, international company, I'd hope, nay expect them to be signed up similarly. They really should be better regulation, there far too many of these type of incidents, not only on the railway.

The issue here being the driver used his brother's license when he joined the company. Now you'd expect the different name to flag up, or perhaps the job was actually his brother's but he was working it to get around the fact he is an already disqualified driver.

Obviously the procedure at the crossing was not followed, hence the incident. That crossing is used fairly regularly and the gates have been left open previously, with the next train stopping to close them.

 

[Spartacus]

The issue here being the driver used his brother's license when he joined the company. Now you'd expect the different name to flag up, or perhaps the job was actually his brother's but he was working it to get around the fact he is an already disqualified driver.

Funny enough I'd suspected something like this, but not knowing didn't want to speculate.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Funny enough I'd suspected something like this, but not knowing didn't want to speculate.

I've seen the train crew reports so I know that side of it, the van driver info was in the local news so may not be 100% reliable but makes sense to me.