TRAIN bosses are set to take action over a level crossing in Southampton after a driver has put his life at danger by driving across it while the barriers were coming down.

They say that motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are regularly putting their lives at risk at the Mount Pleasant crossing used by trains travelling at up to 80 miles and hour.

Now there are calls for a safety review and rail bosses say that they are in talks with civic bosses over the future of the crossing.

It comes after one driver risked lives when he drove across the crossing while the barriers were on their way down.

Jacob Aubrey, of Fryern Close, Chandler's Ford, went through Mount Pleasant level crossing in Southampton on April 23, 2018 while the warning light had been red for five seconds.

When the 29-year-old appeared before Southampton Magistrates Court, the self-employed gas engineer said he was aware of the red light and he knew the barriers were coming down.

Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, said: "The defendant approached the level crossing, the light went amber then red, the barriers started to go down, he went through as they came down.

 

" The lights had been red for five seconds."

Aubrey pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £90.

He will also have to pay £85 for the costs and £30 of victim surcharge and his driving licence was endorsed with two points.

District Judge Loraine Morgan said: "The danger was significant. It was a railway crossing."

But train bosses said there is a lack of knowledge around how dangerous railway crossings can be and have said they are in talks with the local authority over the future of the Mount Pleasant crossing.

This comes after another driver was caught racing across the crossing at Mount Pleasant, seconds before a train thundered down the track in 2014.

A Network Rail spokesman has now said: "Mount Pleasant level crossing experiences a high level of deliberate misuse by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

"With 500 trains a day, passing over the crossing at up to 80mph, these people are not only breaking the law but are putting their lives, and often the lives of others, at risk for the sake of a few seconds."

When asked if there are plans to close the Mount Pleasant level crossing, the spokesman for Network Rail added: "We are working with the local authority as we consider options to reduce the risk at this level crossing."

Royston Smith MP for Southampton Itchen said: "It is disappointing to hear of yet another incident on the Mount Pleasant level crossing with someone foolishly placing themselves and many other people in danger.

"We all recognise the inconvenience of being stopped at this crossing, although people should not need to be reminded of the risks of ignoring the warnings here.

"With the increase in residential development at Meridian Waterside, it is appropriate for Network Rail and the council to review how effective the barriers and signage are and look at whether this could be made safer."

But a spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: "We are not currently working on a scheme for the Mount Pleasant Level Crossing, however where requested we will work with Network Rail to improve safety and reduce risk at level crossings for all users."

Network Rail has closed more than 1,100 level crossings across the country since 2009 as part of a campaign aimed at reducing the number of incidents involving drivers at level crossings.

 

Figures released by Network Rail show that one in seven drivers would misuse a level crossing and about 46 incidents involving vehicles take place at level crossings across the country every week.

Allan Spence, head of public and passenger safety at Network Rail, said: “It’s clear that there is a lack of knowledge around how dangerous railway crossings can be. Nothing is worth risking your life over, just to save a few minutes of time."

A research carried out by researcher Populus on behalf of Network Rail, shows that a lack of knowledge may be to blame as about a third of UK drivers said they had never been taught how to use a level crossing, leaving them more likely to be unaware of the dangers and more likely to take risks.

The study revealed nearly half of the drivers surveyed (45 per cent) felt their passengers were their biggest distraction while driving.

The thought of arriving late also distracted 30 per cent, with exams or a hospital appointment also among the top reasons for failing to wait.

The research also showed one in nine drivers would go straight over a level crossing if they had checked the train timetable and believed no train was coming.

Network Rail has partnered with British Transport Police (BTP) to remind drivers of the dangers of not following the safety instructions at a level crossing.

Following the latest incident in Southampton, a BTP spokesperson said: "Incidents like this can have fatal consequences, and we always take them seriously.

"People who misuse level crossings fail to realise the consequence of their actions, and that we will actively investigate and bring offenders before the courts.

"If you witness anyone misusing a level crossing, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40."