Case study: foot crossing visibility
30 January 2025
CIRAS report prompts street lighting fix for safer level crossing.
Above: Hatches crossing at Frimley Green © Simon Burchell/Wikimedia Commons
There was poor visibility at Hatches foot crossing in Frimley Green because of a faulty lamp post. Only half the crossing was lit during early mornings and late evenings. The reporter to CIRAS was concerned by how long it was taking to fix.
The crossing is used frequently and, as it’s in the middle of an S bend, trains cannot see it clearly. Crossing users must judge when it’s safe to cross. They might not be able to do this safely given the poor visibility and 60 mph line speed.
There’s a double whistle board—prompting train drivers to sound the horn—suggesting the crossing is high-risk even when lights are working.
Network Rail investigated and identified that the lights were outside the railway boundary and owned by Surrey County Council. Network Rail’s Signal and Telecoms team visited the site and confirmed the downside lighting wasn’t working. The upside lighting was adequate, but the faulty street light reduced visibility of downside signs.
Network Rail asked Surrey County Council to fix the street light urgently and they did.