Railway safety and crime

Police to tackle unwanted sexual behaviour on railway

02.12.13: A week-long operation targeting unwanted sexual behaviour on the rail network is being run by the British Transport Police (BTP), aimed at tackling the most serious crimes as well as more minor harassment that might otherwise go unreported. ...

Culture change needed to tackle fatigue – IOSH

29.11.13: Managing worker tiredness is one of the most significant factors in railway safety, the vice chair of the UK’s all-party parliamentary rail group has warned. Speaking at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)’s...

Essex level crossing replacement programme begins

08.11.13: Network Rail is replacing six level crossings in Essex with footbridges or underpasses to improve safety at the sites. The work is part of the wider national level crossing safety improvement programme. The six level crossings to be replace...

North Sheen crossing sees safety improvements

04.11.13: Safety improvements near North Sheen station have been officially opened, with a new footbridge to allow pedestrians to walk over the level crossing. The footbridge was opened by Network Rail and the South West Trains (SWT) Alliance, with t...

Making stations more secure

31.10.13: The SecureStation project is looking at how to reduce the risks of general crime, fire, and terrorist attacks, and has been getting public views on the acceptability and intrusiveness of proposed security measures. RTM talked to Dr Emma Carter of...

Safety first

31.10.13: A level crossing upgrade at Llanelli in south Wales at two crossings either side of the station grew in scope to encompass some first-of-their-kind innovations to improve safety. RTM talked to Amey’s rail project manager Mark Bushnell and si...

New RAIB recommendations after COSS death at Saxilby

30.10.13: Network Rail should consider reducing its dependence on agency staff in safety leadership roles, the RAIB has recommended after an investigation into a fatal accident at Saxilby last year. On 4 December 2012, a train struck and fatally inju...

Safety campaign to cut railway staff abuse

28.10.13: The British Transport Police (BTP) is launching a new campaign to protect rail workers from abuse. The two-week Operation Mainline is part of a wider focus on issues most important to policing, led by the Association of Chief Police Officer...

Metro warns of dangers from obstructing train doors

23.10.13: An intense and unusual new animated video campaign seeks to stop passengers obstructing train doors on the Tyne & Wear Metro, after an incident in which a woman was dragged down the platform with her arm stuck in the doors.  The RA...

Safety boost at Spondon level crossing

18.10.13: A level crossing awareness event was held yesterday in Derby to improve safety for vehicles driving across the railway.  The event was held by local councillors and Network Rail at Spondon level crossing, which is “notorious&rdqu...

Safety works for Harrogate line stations

14.10.13: Work is taking place to reduce the risk at pedestrian crossings on the Harrogate line, Network Rail has announced. At Poppleton station a new entrance is being created for one of the platforms. Pedestrian gates which did not lock when train...

Safety accreditation for South West Trains stations

03.10.13: 17 South West Trains (SWT) car parks have been reaccredited with Park Mark status – the secure mark accreditation scheme led by the Association of Chief Police Officers.  The scheme recognises measures taken to deter criminal act...

New scrap metal law comes into force to tackle cable theft

01.10.13: The new law clamping down on rogue scrap metal dealers, which has been warmly welcomed by the rail industry, comes into force today. It is hoped it will make it much more difficult for cable thieves to sell on stolen metal. The new Scrap Me...

Legislation proposed to close level crossings

25.09.13: A new procedure should be created to close level crossings, the Law Commission has proposed. In a joint report, the Law Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission call for the safety regime around level crossings to be impr...

Sustainability conference to focus on skills and safety

20.09.13: A conference next month will examine the safety and sustainability of the rail network.  The ‘Sustainability in Rail Tuesday October 29 is being held at Pera Conference Centre in Melton Mowbray, LE13 0PB.  The event wil...