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Ballast In The Blood   15/10/2013 at 01:21

Well Ian, I can honestly conclude that after reading your post, you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. You really do show your ignorance by suggesting that all level crossings should be closed. This is wholly impractical, and not on the grounds of cost. Perhaps, to take just one example, if you were to visit Shiplake level crossing, near Henley-upon-Thames, you would realise that constructing either a bridge or underpass, without demolishing houses, is impossible. Perhaps though this is a necessary evil in your eyes, just as long as it wouldn't be your house? The fact that level crossings are used across Europe, and are the most practical option of when road crosses over rail (notice no mention of cost..), should tell you something. Let's be honest here, the real problem is not level crossings, but the people who use them, and those who run red lights and risk their own lives, as well as others, just to try and save a few seconds. I find it quite hard to believe that those young girls who were killed at a level crossing a few years ago did not realise full well what they were doing, when they chose to open a closed gate, where a red light was on, and a loud alarm was sounding, to warn them of the danger that a train was approaching, and they should not cross the tracks. I am sure they had used that crossing many times before, were familiar with red lights, loud alarms, and a sign clearly stating not to cross the tracks when the red light was on/flashing, and the alarm sounding. But no, even though the girls chose to ignore the warnings and deliberately walk on to the tracks, that is still somehow the fault of Network Rail. To me, it sounds like you have an axe to grind against the rail industry, more than anything else. Let me ask you- if the same 2 young girls were to walk onto the road at a pedestrian crossing, even though the red man was showing, would it be the fault of the roads department, or car manufacturers, or the driver of the car, for not anticipating that a pedestrian would step out on the road, even though the traffic light was showing green? It is indeed sad that 2 girls lost their lives, but they chose to ignore the warnings, and they were taking their lives into their own hands by doing so. May I suggest sir, that your head is up your ar*e, and your suggestion only shows what an ignorant man you are.

Anthony   19/10/2013 at 22:15

Well, it is true that the two girls ignored all warnings about the approaching train which if they had obeyed the disaster wouldn't have occurred. However, in my opinion I think closing up the rails and replacing them with bridges and underpasses is not a completely bad idea because this will at least mitigate completely against train derailment and accidents with humans, animals and/or other moving things at level crossings. With bridges and underpasses, trains makes complete use of their right of way even at level crossings. Doing these will only incur additional cost of construction by the authorities responsible for infrastructure provision.