Case study: level crossing safety risks
30 January 2025
CCTV reinstated for signallers at mechanically operated rural crossing.
Above: a rural level crossing
Signallers at Ashwell signal box control the raising and lowering of barriers 400 yards away at the rural Gatehouse level crossing, on the line from Leicester to Peterborough.
The crossing is mechanically operated because there is little road traffic. Signallers should be able to view it from the signal box on CCTV monitors. This is especially important when it’s dark or in adverse weather. CIRAS received a report that the two cameras overlooking the track hadn’t worked for over a year. The CCTV showed nothing. The reporter believed Network Rail knew this but hadn’t told staff when it’d be fixed.
They were also concerned that the only warning at the crossing was a bell sound. This would be unsuitable for deaf users and could be hard to hear from noisy vehicles such as tractors.
Crossings usually have a visual warning too. Not having one increases the risk of users being trapped in the crossing without the signaller knowing. Crossing users can press an emergency button to contact the signal box if trapped, but this didn’t remove the need to resolve the other issues. Staff were uneasy while working, concerned there could be an incident.
Network Rail visited in response and discussed possible solutions with the signalling team. A third-party contractor had installed the camera originally without a service contract.
A week later, Network Rail replaced the camera system with a high-definition camera facing road traffic in each direction and a 180-degree camera to monitor the crossing centrally. Signallers now have full visibility of the road and crossing on one monitor. This installation includes a service contract, with support.
Network Rail’s engineering team will investigate other potential improvements at the crossing, including a visual warning.