Crossing safety stressed; 1,208 safety issues were reported on local line

TRANSLINK has issued 1k copies of a revised safety booklet to landowners a year after the Sentinel reported hundreds of safety issues had been reported at unmanned level crossings on the Londonderry to Coleraine line from 2007.
Keith Pollock, Level Crossing Risk Coordinator at Translink, and Malcolm Downey, the Principal Inspector for Agriculture in Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) have launched an annual safety initiative encouraging responsible use of level crossings.Keith Pollock, Level Crossing Risk Coordinator at Translink, and Malcolm Downey, the Principal Inspector for Agriculture in Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) have launched an annual safety initiative encouraging responsible use of level crossings.
Keith Pollock, Level Crossing Risk Coordinator at Translink, and Malcolm Downey, the Principal Inspector for Agriculture in Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) have launched an annual safety initiative encouraging responsible use of level crossings.

Keith Pollock, Level Crossing Risk Coordinator, Translink said: “We have issued around 1000 copies of our safety information booklet to landowners who have crossings on their land.”

The decision to mail new versions of ‘The Safe Use of User Worked Crossings’ to landowners is part of an annual campaign to promote the safe use of private crossings.

“While the majority of users are responsible and use their private crossings correctly, we would ask them to remind suppliers and contractors visiting their premises of their safety obligations,” said Mr Pollock.

Last year the Sentinel revealed that between 2007 and 2011 there were 1,208 safety issues reported at unmanned crossings in the North West.

During that period there were six near misses and one death - that of Limavady farmer James Craig (70) whose father Thomas was Mayor of Londonderry in the 1970s.

It’s emerged that safety issues were reported at dozens of private crossings as well as at Ballykelly airport (20) and the Foyle Bridge (12) over the five years.

One crossing at Donneybrewer - where there were 31 issues reported - was agreed for closure in 2008 but final works to close it off were not completed until 2010

Malcolm Downey, the Principal Inspector for Agriculture in Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) said: “Safety on the farm has been at the forefront of the media on several occasions in the past year and the HSENI is working closely with the agricultural community to help them improve their day to day and long term working practices. “Any activity that promotes the safety of farmers is to be commended and I would encourage landowners to avail of the help Translink is offering in making their farming activity safer.”

Mr Pollock concluded: “In the past During the past 11 months an additional 13 user worked crossings have been closed in agreement with the crossing owners; we have now only 99 user worked crossings on our active network, therefore reducing potential for misuse.

“Negotiations are currently on going with regards to further crossing closures in the coming months. At the crossings that remain around the network there has also been a significant reduction in the incidents of misuse; this is a clear indication that our safety message and safety initiatives are making a difference.

“We are always happy to discuss any issues at a crossing and would urge crossing users who require information or safety advice to get in touch with us on 02890 355444.”

Additional copies of “The safe use of user worked crossings’ are available from Translink by calling the number above and can also be downloaded at http://www.translink.co.uk/privatecrossings