Network Rail ordered to pay more than £100,000 over level crossing death (From The Northern Echo)
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Rail operator failed to reduce risks at Haltwhistle level crossing
4:00pm Monday 29th November 2010 in News
A RAIL operator has been fined £75,000 following an accident at North-East level crossing in which a teenager died.
Network Rail was also ordered to pay costs of more than £36,000 after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing at Tynedale Magistrates' Court, to a breach of health and safety laws in relation to the accident at Haltwhistle, in Northumberland, in January 2008.
Deliveryman Christopher Walton was killed when he was hit by a Carlisle to Middlesbrough freight train as he carried sacks of coal over West Lodge level crossing to a remote farmhouse on the Blenkinsopp Estate.
The 17-year-old had taken coal to the house with a colleague and was returning to his van when he was struck at 5.20pm on January 22.
The sentencing hearing at Newcastle Crown Court heard that an investigation carried out by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) found that the rail company should have taken steps to reduce the risks of using the crossing, including instructing pedestrians using the crossing to telephone the signaller before crossing.
Further routine inspections between 2005 and 2008 by Network Rail failed to recognise the continued risks associated with using the crossing.
Speaking after the case, Allan Spence, deputy chief inspector of railways at the ORR said: "Our thoughts are with the family of Christopher Walton.
"This tragic incident could have been prevented. Network Rail was aware of the dangers of this crossing, and possible steps to improve safety - yet failed to take action to reduce the risks to users.
"We continue to press for safety improvements at level crossings, taking appropriate enforcement action - including prosecution - when necessary."
Since the accident, Network Rail has taken steps to improve safety at the level crossing, including the installation of signs telling crossing users to use the trackside telephone for permission to cross.
