Track operator sharply criticised in report with particular attention placed on deaths of Olivia Bazlinton and Charlotte Thompson
Network Rail has apologised over the deaths at railway level crossings after a scathing report from MPs demanding that it should aim to prevent such incidents, with a deadline of the end of the decade.
The track operator was sharply criticised for the way it had dealt with victims' families and was accused of having shown a "callous disregard" for the bereaved.
Network Rail has closed almost 800 level crossings since 2010, and plans to shut 500 more by 2019. On average, about 10 people a year have died at UK level crossings since 2004, the report says. Louise Ellman, chair of the Commons transport select committee, said: "Network Rail has lowered the risk of death at a level crossing by 25% since 2008, but, when suicides and trespass are excluded, level crossings still account for one half of all fatalities on the railway in recent years, including nine people who died from 2012 to 2013.
"Every one of those deaths was a personal tragedy which could have been averted. Yet looking back it's clear that on too many occasions Network Rail showed a callous disregard for the feelings of the families of people killed or seriously injured in accidents at level crossings.
"Victims were erroneously described as trespassers or accused of misuse of the railway when, in fact, they tried to use level crossings appropriately."
The report criticised Network Rail particularly for its actions after the deaths of Olivia Bazlinton and Charlotte Thompson, teenagers who died at Elsenham level crossing, Essex, in December 2005. Key documents showing that the crossing had been viewed as a risk were not disclosed until years after an initial inquest.
The committee told Network Rail to explain to the bereaved families how and why the risk assessment documents were withheld. Network Rail was fined £1m in March 2012 for safety breaches relating to the Elsenham deaths. David Higgins, then chief executive, issued a full apology and directors agreed to forgo bonuses.
Ellman demanded executives similarly refuse any bonuses this year, since Network Rail lost an appeal in January against a £500,000 fine for an accident in Beccles, Suffolk, where a boy aged 10 sustained "life-changing injuries" after a vehicle was hit by a train at a level crossing.
Network Rail's new chief executive, Mark Carne, said: "I wish to extend a full, unreserved, apology on behalf of Network Rail to all those whose lives have been touched by a failing, however large or small,made by this company in managing public safety at level crossings and in failing to deal sensitively with the families affected."
He said Network Rail was a very different company now. "As we made clear, when we pleaded guilty during the Elsenham court proceedings, it was a watershed in the way we thought about our approach to the risk at level crossings, and how we treat victims and their families.
"As a result of this transformation, level crossings in Britain are among the safest in Europe. But there is still much that we can, and will, do and the committee's recommendations will help us in that endeavour."
Carne said Network Rail had invested £130m in the last four years in improving level crossing safety, including building new footbridges, advertising, and schools awareness campaigns, and installing a number of warning systems, barriers and power-operated gate.
Richard Parry-Jones, Network Rail's chairman, said the call to stop bonuses would be considered by the remuneration committee.
The transport committee said the government should review the way level crossings are indicated on road signs, and help educate drivers and pedestrians about the risks.
It expressed concern that the rail regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation, might not have enough appropriately qualified, experienced staff to inspect the crossings or adequately challenge the track operator. Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 days ago.
Network Rail has apologised over the deaths at railway level crossings after a scathing report from MPs demanding that it should aim to prevent such incidents, with a deadline of the end of the decade.
The track operator was sharply criticised for the way it had dealt with victims' families and was accused of having shown a "callous disregard" for the bereaved.
Network Rail has closed almost 800 level crossings since 2010, and plans to shut 500 more by 2019. On average, about 10 people a year have died at UK level crossings since 2004, the report says. Louise Ellman, chair of the Commons transport select committee, said: "Network Rail has lowered the risk of death at a level crossing by 25% since 2008, but, when suicides and trespass are excluded, level crossings still account for one half of all fatalities on the railway in recent years, including nine people who died from 2012 to 2013.
"Every one of those deaths was a personal tragedy which could have been averted. Yet looking back it's clear that on too many occasions Network Rail showed a callous disregard for the feelings of the families of people killed or seriously injured in accidents at level crossings.
"Victims were erroneously described as trespassers or accused of misuse of the railway when, in fact, they tried to use level crossings appropriately."
The report criticised Network Rail particularly for its actions after the deaths of Olivia Bazlinton and Charlotte Thompson, teenagers who died at Elsenham level crossing, Essex, in December 2005. Key documents showing that the crossing had been viewed as a risk were not disclosed until years after an initial inquest.
The committee told Network Rail to explain to the bereaved families how and why the risk assessment documents were withheld. Network Rail was fined £1m in March 2012 for safety breaches relating to the Elsenham deaths. David Higgins, then chief executive, issued a full apology and directors agreed to forgo bonuses.
Ellman demanded executives similarly refuse any bonuses this year, since Network Rail lost an appeal in January against a £500,000 fine for an accident in Beccles, Suffolk, where a boy aged 10 sustained "life-changing injuries" after a vehicle was hit by a train at a level crossing.
Network Rail's new chief executive, Mark Carne, said: "I wish to extend a full, unreserved, apology on behalf of Network Rail to all those whose lives have been touched by a failing, however large or small,made by this company in managing public safety at level crossings and in failing to deal sensitively with the families affected."
He said Network Rail was a very different company now. "As we made clear, when we pleaded guilty during the Elsenham court proceedings, it was a watershed in the way we thought about our approach to the risk at level crossings, and how we treat victims and their families.
"As a result of this transformation, level crossings in Britain are among the safest in Europe. But there is still much that we can, and will, do and the committee's recommendations will help us in that endeavour."
Carne said Network Rail had invested £130m in the last four years in improving level crossing safety, including building new footbridges, advertising, and schools awareness campaigns, and installing a number of warning systems, barriers and power-operated gate.
Richard Parry-Jones, Network Rail's chairman, said the call to stop bonuses would be considered by the remuneration committee.
The transport committee said the government should review the way level crossings are indicated on road signs, and help educate drivers and pedestrians about the risks.
It expressed concern that the rail regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation, might not have enough appropriately qualified, experienced staff to inspect the crossings or adequately challenge the track operator. Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 days ago.