An investigation uncovered a near miss at Craven Arms, where a train narrowly avoided colliding with a tanker.
- The train was signalled to proceed while level crossing barriers were still raised, breaching safety protocols.
- The signaller used an overriding control due to issues with a barrier locking lever and traffic pressure.
- Access to the control unit was improperly secured, being accessed 359 times in under three years.
- Safety protocols have been re-emphasised, urging that such systems only be used when absolutely necessary.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has revealed a critical near miss incident at the Craven Arms level crossing, where a train was within two seconds of hitting a tanker. This occurred when the signaller used control systems that bypassed designed safety features, an action that sparked a detailed investigation.
The investigation discovered that the train was signalled to proceed while the level crossing barriers, meant to protect road traffic, remained raised. This procedural breach was attributed to the signaller operating a Local Control Unit (LCU) outside of normal operation protocols. The signaller reported operating under pressure due to faulty barrier equipment and increasing road traffic.
Furthermore, the probe exposed significant security lapses concerning access to the control systems. The key to the LCU, intended for emergency use only, was found in an unlocked glass box and had been utilised 359 times in less than three years. This frequency suggests a routine misuse of the emergency equipment, as corroborated by witness testimonies.
RAIB’s report stresses the importance of signallers performing only those tasks for which they are adequately assessed and competent. It also warns against the habitual use of emergency systems in regular operations. Clear safety messages from the RAIB aim to prevent future occurrences by reinforcing stringent adherence to operational protocols.
The RAIB has called for stringent adherence to safety protocols to avert similar near misses.
