UFTON NERVET– TEN YEARS AFTER

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2014 :: RMTnews 21 UFTON NERVET– TEN YEARS AFTER No action taken ten years since fatal crash at Ufton Nervet level crossings which killed seven people RMT renewed its call for the acceleration of the phasing out of level crossings on the tenth anniversary of the crash on the Ufton Nervet crossing where a train crashed into a car killing seven people and seriously injuring 37 passengers. Since that crash 11 more people have died at the crossing with the latest fatality occurring just last month. In September 2011 there was also a major near-miss at Ufton Nervet when a train narrowly avoided a collision with a car. On November 6 2004 local chef Brian Drysdale parked his car on the Ufton Nervet level crossing in the path of an intercity train. Train driver Stan Martin was among the dead and 120 others suffered minor injuries. Despite reports and recommendations from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch the crossing at Ufton Nervet remains in place and plans by Network Rail to replace it with a bridge have not been implemented. Network Rail said has said that a bridge design had been completed but it would cost "significantly more than anticipated" and unless funding was found it would only make changes to the existing crossing. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that it was almost impossible to believe that action required to make this particularly dangerous crossing safe had not been implemented and that the death toll continued to rise. “RMT continues to press both Network Rail and the local council to take the measures that have been talked about and promised for years to protect both the public and staff alike. “There should be no more delays. “Ufton Nervet serves as a constant reminder of the ever- present danger of mixing road with rail and RMT will continue to campaign for the speed-up of the phasing out of level crossings and their replacement with modern solutions that put the safety of both rail staff and the public as an absolute priority. “Cost and planning rows should not be the deciding factors when lives are at risk on a daily basis,” he said. Level crossings remain by far the highest area of risk on the railway and Network Rail has closed 800 in the past five years and plans to close 500 more.