Using level crossings safely
Foreword
What this guide is for
This document provides guidance on how to use level crossings safely.
Who this guide is for
This guide is aimed at anyone who uses level crossings, including
pedestrians, motorists, cyclists, horse-riders and people who work in rural
areas. It provides easy-to-understand advice on how to use a crossing safely,
while also referring to specific rules, as set out in The Highway Code, relating
to using level crossings.
This guidance does not apply to tramways.
Why we have produced this guidance
We have produced this guide as we want our advice on using level crossings
to be available to and understood by everyone.
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A guide for people who use level crossings
Why you should read this guide
This guide provides information on how you can use crossings safely. The
information either repeats or builds upon information and advice contained
elsewhere, such as in The Highway Code (rules 291 to 299) or Network Rail’s
publications.
Level crossings – the basics
There are various types of level crossing. In all cases, the best way to reduce
risk is to use the crossing safely and to follow any instructions that are
displayed at the crossing.
The type of crossing used at a particular place depends on several things –
whether the right of way is private or public, the type and number of users and
the geographical features of the location.
At most level crossings on public roads there will be warning signs on the
approach to level crossings.
Using level crossings safely
When using a level crossing to cross a railway, remember that trains have
much longer stopping distances than road vehicles. This stopping distance is
often longer than the train driver’s view of the line ahead.
The general advice is that if you see or hear a train, don’t cross. Remember
that trains can come from either direction.
The safety at level crossings largely depends on you recognising the dangers
and obeying instructions. If you do not follow the instructions given, you are
putting yourself, other users, railway staff and passengers at great risk. You
could also be prosecuted.
There will often be a phone number on signs at a crossing so that you can
contact railway staff if necessary.
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Drivers and motorcyclists
Not using level crossings correctly – for example, ignoring traffic light signals
or trying to beat the barriers – is very dangerous. You can reduce the risk to
yourself and others by following the guidance below.
•
Take extra care when approaching and using level crossings.
•
Never pass over the ‘STOP’ line and drive onto a crossing until the
road is clear on the other side.
•
Never stop or park on a crossing.
•
If your vehicle breaks down or you cannot keep going or get off a
crossing:
o get everyone out of the vehicle and off the crossing
immediately;
o use the phone at the crossing (if any) to tell the signaller and
then follow the instructions you are given; and
o only move the vehicle off the crossing if there is time to do so
before a train arrives. If the alarm sounds, or the amber light
comes on, leave the vehicle and get off the crossing
immediately.
You must follow the rules below.
•
Obey road traffic light signals and road signs.
•
Avoid overhead electric lines by obeying any height-restriction
warnings. Do not move forward onto the railway if your vehicle touches
any height barrier.
•
Obey any sign that says you must use a phone at the crossing to get
permission to cross. Phone back when you are clear of the crossing if
you have been asked to do so.
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Other users (for example pedestrians, cyclists, horse-riders
and people who work in rural areas)
Take special care when crossing railway lines at level crossings, especially
crossings along footpaths, bridleways and other rights of way where there are
no barriers or railway staff. In particular, pay attention to the following
important points.
•
You must obey instruction signs, warning lights and alarms.
•
If you hear a train horn, this means a train is approaching so do not
cross. Remember though that train drivers will not always sound a horn
(for example, at night).
•
Before you reach the crossing remove hoods, earphones, headphones
or any device that could stop you from hearing a train approaching.
Remember that modern trains are quiet and weather conditions such
as high winds and fog can reduce your ability to hear or see a train
approaching.
•
Keep children close to you. Do not let them run or wander off.
•
Keep pet dogs on a lead. Do not follow an animal that strays on to the
line without first checking it is safe by contacting the crossing operator
or signaller where possible.
•
If there are no barriers or lights, stop, look and listen, then look again
before you cross. Remember that trains travel faster than you think and
that your view can be obscured by bushes, trees, structures and bends
in the track.
•
If it is safe to cross, cross quickly, taking care not to slip or trip on the
track. Stay alert while you are crossing the track.
•
Do not stop on the crossing.
•
Take particular care if the surface of the crossing is not smooth, and
make sure that wheels of bicycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs do not
get trapped in the space between the crossing surface and the inside
of the rail.
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•
On crossings where there are gates, make sure you close both sets of
gates or barriers behind you.
•
When in a group, don't just follow the person in front. Everyone should
take responsibility for their own safety and stop, look and listen for
themselves before deciding it is safe to cross. If you can see a train
don’t cross.
•
Consider anyone with you who may need help, such as young, elderly
or disabled people.
•
Always make sure the exit from the crossing is clear before you start to
cross.
•
If you are crossing in a group, or you are riding a horse, use the phone
if there is one.
If you are crossing in a group of cyclists, there is no phone and you
need to open and close gates yourself, you should dismount (get off
the cycle).
•
•
You must obey any sign that says you must use a phone at the
crossing to get permission to cross. Phone back when you are clear of
the crossing if you have been asked to do so.
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Types of level crossing and how to use them
safely
Full-barrier crossings
Appearance This type of crossing is normally protected by road traffic light
signals and full lifting barriers on both sides of the track.
How they
work
How to use
the crossing
safely
The barriers are normally kept up until a train approaches.
There will then be an alarm for pedestrians and the lights will
begin to show amber, and then flash red. The barriers will
come down (they may be lowered automatically or by railway
staff) and cross the full width of the road.
•
Always approach the level crossing carefully and be
prepared to stop.
• You must obey the traffic light signals.
• When the amber or red lights show, you must stop
behind the white line across the road.
• If you have already crossed the white line when the
amber light comes on, keep going.
• If the red lights continue to flash after the train has
passed, you must continue to wait as this means that
another train is approaching.
• Do not reverse onto or over the crossing.
• Do not cross until the lights go off and the barriers are
fully raised.
If you are not in a vehicle, stand clear of the barriers until
they are fully raised and your way is clear. At some
crossings, tactile surfaces (that is, textured paving) are
provided to help those who are blind or partially sighted.
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Automatic half-barrier crossings (AHB and ABCL)
Appearance This type of crossing is protected by road traffic light signals, an
alarm for pedestrians, and a lifting barrier across the left-hand side of
the road. When the barriers are lowered, they only extend across half
of the road, leaving the exits clear.
How they
work
How to use
the crossing
safely
The equipment is usually automatically triggered by a train as it
approaches the crossing.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Always approach the level crossing carefully and be prepared
to stop.
If you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle you must stop
and contact the signaller before crossing.
You must obey the traffic light signals.
When the amber or red lights show, you must stop behind the
white line across the road.
If you cannot stop safely when the amber lights show continue
across.
Do not reverse onto or over the crossing.
If the red lights continue to flash, and the alarm continues to
sound, after the train has passed, you must still wait as this
means that another train is approaching.
Never drive around the ends of the barriers (‘zigzag’) when
they are closed or closing.
Do not cross until the lights go off and the barriers are fully
raised.
If you are not in a vehicle, stop somewhere clear of the
barriers, behind the stop line, until they are fully raised and the
crossing is clear. At some crossings, tactile surfaces (that is,
textured paving) are provided to help those who are blind or
partially sighted.
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Gated crossings operated by railway staff
Appearance This type of crossing is protected by gates, on both sides of the
track.
How they
work
How to use
the crossing
safely
Railway staff open and close the gates by hand.
•
When a railway employee has closed the gates you
must wait until he or she opens them again to let you
cross safely.
•
Always approach the level crossing carefully and be
prepared to stop.
•
When the gates are open you should cross as quickly
as possible without stopping.
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Automatic open crossing with lights and locally monitored
automatic open crossings (AOCL)
Appearance This type of crossing has no barriers but is protected by road
traffic light signals and an alarm to warn pedestrians.
How they
work
How to use
the crossing
safely
The crossing equipment is usually automatically triggered by an
approaching train. Trains will cross without stopping if the train
driver sees, from a specified point, an indication that the
crossing is working correctly and that it is not obstructed.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Always approach the level crossing carefully and be
prepared to stop.
You must obey the traffic light signals and signs.
When the amber or red lights show, you must stop
behind the white line across the road.
If you have already crossed the white line when the
amber light comes on, keep going.
Do not reverse onto or over the crossing.
If the red lights continue to flash after the train has
passed, and the alarm continues to sound, you must still
wait as this means that another train is approaching.
Do not cross until the lights go off.
If you are not in a vehicle, stay somewhere safe and
clear of the crossing until the crossing is clear. There will
often be a white line showing you where to wait. At some
crossings, tactile surfaces (that is, raised paving) are
provided to help those who are blind or partially sighted.
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Open crossings
Appearance This type of crossing does not have barriers or road traffic light
signals. There are only road signs to show that you must give
way to trains at the crossing.
How they
work
How to use
the crossing
safely
You can see approaching trains in enough time for you to stop
safely while you wait for the train to pass.
•
Always approach the level crossing carefully and be
prepared to stop.
•
The crossings are positioned where you can see far
enough down the track to allow you to stop in time to
give way to the approaching train.
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User-worked crossings (UWC)
Appearance User-worked crossings are provided where a private access
route or lightly-used public road crosses the railway. These
crossings have a variety of users such as people who work in
rural areas, utilities providers (for example, water companies),
transport and haulage services, residents and visitors to homes
or businesses separated by the railway. These crossings are
often on rough tracks. The railway is normally closed off to
vehicles by gates or barriers across the road or track. If the
route is also a footpath or bridleway, there may also be a
smaller side gate or stile. Warning lights or phones are
sometimes provided. At all user-worked crossings there are
signs telling users how to cross safely.
How they
work
Users must open and close the gates or barriers by hand.
People in vehicles must open the gates or barriers on both sides
of the railway before driving across. Users taking animals
across the railway must also open the gates or barriers on both
sides of the railway. The gates or barriers on both sides must
then be closed when the crossing is clear, even if you are
planning to go back over the crossing shortly.
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How to use Always open the gates on both sides of the railway before
the crossing taking a vehicle or animals over the crossing. Make sure your
safely
exit from the crossing is clear.
Always close the gates on both sides of the railway
immediately after use.
If there are warning lights:
•
You must not cross when the red light is showing. Only
cross if the green light is on. If the red light stays on after
a train has passed, you must wait as this means that
another train is approaching.
•
If you are crossing in a vehicle, check that the green light
is still on after you’ve opened the gates or barriers, and
cross quickly and carefully.
If a phone is provided:
•
You must obey any sign telling you to use a railway
phone to get permission to cross. You must also use the
phone when you are clear of the crossing, if you are
asked to do so. If a phone is provided it is likely that your
view of the tracks and approaching trains is limited.
Where there are no warning lights or phones:
•
After opening the gates or barriers, stop, look both ways
and listen. Cross only if there are no trains coming.
We strongly recommend that employers and businesses likely
to use these crossings contact us at ORR for more specific
advice.
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Footpath crossings (including at stations) and bridleway
crossings
Appearance This type of crossing is used where the railway crosses a
footpath or bridleway, and there are stiles or self-closing gates
on both sides of the track. In some circumstances, there are
lights at the crossing.
How they
work
How to use
the crossing
safely
The user must make sure that no train is approaching and cross
safely and as quickly as possible.
•
Always approach the level crossing carefully and stop.
•
Some crossings have ‘Stop’ signs and small red and
green lights. You must not cross when the red light is
showing. Only cross if the green light is on. If the red
light stays on red after a train has passed, do not cross
as this means that another train is coming.
•
You must obey any warning alarm and lights.
•
Keep children close to you. Do not let them run or
wander off.
•
Keep dogs on a lead.
•
If there are no warnings or lights, stop, look and listen,
then look again, before you cross. Remember that trains
travel faster than you think and that trees, structures and
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bends in the track can sometimes obscure your view.
•
If you hear a train horn, this means a train is approaching
so do not cross. Remember though that train drivers will
not always sound a horn (for example, at night).
•
If it is safe, cross quickly, taking care not to slip or trip on
the track. Stay alert while crossing.
•
Do not stop on the crossing.
•
When in a group, don't just follow the person in front.
Everyone should take responsibility for their own safety
and stop, look and listen for themselves before crossing.
•
Consider anyone with you who may need help, such as
young, elderly or disabled people.
•
If you are in a large group, cross in smaller groups to
avoid having to wait or queue on the crossing while
those in front pass through the gate or over the stile on
the far side
•
If you are on a cycle and you need to open and close
gates yourself you should dismount (get off the cycle).
•
Before you reach the crossing, remove hoods,
earphones, headphones or any device that could stop
you from hearing a train approaching. Remember that
weather conditions such as high winds and fog can
reduce your ability to hear or see a train approaching.
The full text of rules 291 to 299 of The Highway Code, which relate to level
crossings is on the website at:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069864
Report damaged or faulty crossings to Network Rail (08457 11 41 41).
Report misuse to British Transport Police (0800 40 50 40) or Crimestoppers
(0800 555 111).
Network Rail has also produced a level crossings user guide http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/Community%20and%20Environment/
10692_Level_crossing_user_guide.pdf
You can contact us, ORR, by phoning 0207 2828 2000 or visiting our website
at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/
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