News

CROSSING MISUSER FINED

26th October 2006

A Woodlesford man who blatantly disregarded warnings and misused a footpath level crossing at Woodlesford Station near Leeds is paying the price after magistrates fined him £175 and gave him a criminal record.   
 
The incident occurred on 13 April when Roy Taylor had travelled from Leeds to Woodlesford.  Announcements were made onboard the train advising passengers of the correct procedure for using the crossing and informing that misuse could lead to prosecution.  However, Mr Taylor ignored all warnings and, having alighted the train, proceeded to cross the crossing while the lights were red.  A Northern Rail revenue protection inspector instructed him to stop until it was safe, however, Mr Taylor ignored all warnings.   
 
As a result of his actions, Mr Taylor appeared before Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to the Byelaw offence of ignoring the safety notices and was fined £175 and received a criminal record.
 
Malcolm Brown, Area Director, Northern Rail said: “We hope that this result will help act as a deterrent for those that might choose to break the law.  The signs at Woodlesford Crossing are clear, yet a minority of our customers choose to ignore the instructions and risk their safety for the sake of getting to their car or destination a few seconds earlier.  We will continue to work with British Transport Police and Network Rail to educate crossing users and to seek prosecution for those that ignore the warnings.
 
 
 
British Transport Police Inspector Tracy Metcalf commented:  “We are really pleased with this result and hope it sends a strong message out to pedestrians who are regularly endangering themselves and other rail users by ignoring the traffic light signs at this crossing. Trains on route come at high speed though the station and there have been a number of near tragedies. The British Transport Police are working hard with Northern and Network Rail to ensure this doesn’t happen.  We have adopted measures such as high profile and covert policing at the crossing and we will prosecute anyone who ignores the signals.  Educating people of the hazards associated with the crossing is also important in deterring people from taking unnecessary risks in the first place; we have distributed and displayed leaflets and posters in an attempt to do so. The message is simple, is it really worth risking your life, or receiving a criminal record and a fine to wait an extra minute until its safe to cross?”
 
Woodlesford level crossing has red and green lights and an audible warning system to advise passengers when it is safe to cross.  Passengers should only cross when the lights are on green and the siren has stopped sounding.  Despite clear signage, high profile policing and publicity campaigns coordinated by British Transport Police, Northern Rail and Network Rail some passengers continue to risk their safety by crossing on red.  Trains operate at up to 100 mph on the route through Woodlesford.