Near Misses at Kintbury Level Crossing Spark Safety Alarm
Drivers Flaunt Danger at Railway Barriers
Despite clear warnings, reckless drivers and pedestrians are playing a deadly game at Kintbury level crossing. This week alone, three near misses occurred in just two days—on 28 February and 1 March—where motorists raced against oncoming trains, some even climbing over the lowered barriers.
Police and Cameras Crack Down on Rule-Breakers
British Transport Police (BTP) have stepped up patrols at the crossing. New cameras are now in place to catch offenders red-handed, who will face prosecution. Embedded Inspector Darren Burridge warned:
“Level crossings should be treated with respect. Safety procedures are there for a reason – by trying to beat the system you are not only risking your life, but potentially the lives of passengers and the driver of the oncoming train.”
He added, “Fortunately, these incidents have been near misses. But if the train had arrived seconds sooner, things could have turned tragic. Have patience and wait for your safe turn to cross – saving a few minutes isn’t worth risking your life.”
Network Rail Sound the Alarm
Steve Melanophy, Network Rail’s project lead on route crime, expressed deep concern about the recent spike in dangerous behaviour at Kintbury:
“Trains can’t stop quickly, even with emergency brakes applied. Deliberate misuse of crossings could lead to life-changing injuries or fatalities.”
He urged the public to respect the warning lights, barriers, and signals, explaining they exist to protect lives. Melanophy said Network Rail and BTP will continue efforts to educate and deter unsafe crossing behaviour to keep everyone safe.
