Recommendations made after fatal tram collision in Cleveleys
A pedestrian in his 60s died from his injuries after being hit by a tram in November 2021.
Last updated 17th Nov 2022
A report is recommending Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport review their risk assessments of tram transport following the death of a pedestrian who was killed in a collision last year.
It happened at 6pm on Wednesday 24th November 2021 when the man in his 60s was crossing the Blackpool tramway near Anchorsholme Park in Cleveleys. The tram involved was travelling at 20 mph on a southbound journey from Fleetwood Ferry towards Starr Gate.
The report notes that it was dark at the time of the accident and the pedestrian, who lived locally, was crossing at an uncontrolled crossing which passes over both tracks of the tramway, immediately south of a road junction controlled by traffic signals.
The investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) concluded that the tram driver didn't see the pedestrian until it was too late to prevent the collision.
CCTV footage shows the pedestrian was seemingly unaware of the tram’s speed and proximity to him in the seconds before he was hit.
The RAIB say the layout and lighting at the crossing were factors in the accident, along with the probable distraction of the tram driver as the vehicle approached the crossing. RAIB concluded that the pedestrian’s possible beliefs about the tram’s speed and how visible he was to other road users may also have been factors.
Recommendations
RAIB has made three recommendations. The first is that Blackpool Transport Services should review its process for identifying and assessing the risks arising from tramway activities. #
The second is that Blackpool Council should review its process for identifying and assessing the risks arising from tramway activities, adopting and embedding best light rail industry practice as it does so.
The third is that Blackpool Council should review its assurance and audit process of Blackpool Transport Services.
RAIB also identified two learning points. The first reminds duty holders of the value of having clear and well understood processes for staff to report near misses. The second reminds tram operators of the importance of having arrangements in place to periodically check the alignment of tram headlights.