Drivers dicing with death in Shropshire railway crossing madness
There have been twenty five cases of dangerous driving recorded at a single level crossing in Shropshire over the past three years, it has been revealed.
Motorists have been ignoring warning signs and driving over the railway crossing in Wem while lights have been flashing warning of a train's imminent arrival, according to British Transport Police.
The force has dealt with 16 instances of drivers failing to obey road signs and nine instances of careless driving at the crossing over the Shrewsbury to Manchester line.
Officers have also responded to 14 further non-motoring offences involving the crossing at the junction of Soulton Road and Aston Street. They have included reports of trespassing and an assault.
It is not known how many prosecutions have been pursued following the reports. But the figures, which cover a period from April 2011 until September this year, have prompted fresh calls for more safety measures to be brought in, including a footbridge across the line.
The crossing was named the sixth most dangerous in the country by Network Rail five years ago, and footage has previously been released of cars trying to drive under the gates as they were coming down.
Councillors in Wem have warned people's safety has been put at further risk since it became automated and monitored from Cardiff last year.
Earlier this year a signal fault caused the crossing to slam shut for three hours – causing massive tailbacks for motorists.
Councillor Mandy Meakin, mayor of Wem, said: "People tend to take chances and this is what everyone has been worried about.
"One day there will be a serious accident, people should obey signs. We still have our concerns about the crossing but Network Rail assures us the signal system is working properly.
"We are in contact with Network Rail about getting a footbridge. It would alleviate a lot of the problems as far as the pedestrians are concerned."
The level crossing in Wem was visited by officers during BTP's Operation Look, which saw more than 300 crossings observed in the space of a week at the start of October.
During the week, 38 motorists were sent notices of impending prosecution for misuse of level crossings.
Many more drivers were warned about their behaviour with officers, volunteers and colleagues from Network Rail handing out thousands of leaflets on safe crossing use.
