Network Rail issues safety warning following near miss in Black Country

Bosses have released footage of a man climbing over the barriers of a level crossing in Langley Green seconds before a train comes.

Author: Molly HookingsPublished 29th May 2024
Last updated 29th May 2024

Network Rail has issued a warning to people across the West Midlands after a man was seen climbing over the barriers of a railway crossing just seconds before a train came.

The video shows him casually climbing over the barriers before walking across to the other side with seconds to spare. It happened on Station Road in Langley Green where, according to Network Rail, there has been an increase in the number of incidents of people deliberately misusing level crossings.

The organisation said: "Since January of this year, there have been 74 reported instances of level crossing misuse across the West Midlands region, with eight recorded at Langley Green."

Natalie Stretton, head of operational risk for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “This footage at Langley Green is extremely disappointing and concerning. Moments later and this could have led to tragedy, which doesn’t bear thinking about for the sake of a few minutes.

“Despite the clear and obvious dangers of not using level crossings correctly and all the work we do to educate people about how to use them, it seems people still want to risk their lives. I can’t stress enough the importance of following the rules to help keep everyone safe.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.