PEOPLE are regularly putting their lives at risk by crossing tracks at a York level crossing as trains are approaching.

In the past year, 25 serious incidents have been reported at the crossing at Haxby Road - with incidents including a school girl becoming caught between the barriers and 16 people running or walking across when the warning lights were showing.

On other occasions signal men have reported seeing the barrier hitting a bus, groups of children playing with the barriers, and 31 vehicles crossing as a train was approaching.

Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) have warned these actions could be fatal, and have launched a crackdown.

Vicki Beadle, community safety manager for Network Rail, said: "If a vehicle gets hit by a train you would be looking at fatalities and possibly the derailment of the train. Not many pedestrians will survive being hit by a train. The risk taking behaviour of these people is impacting the safety of themselves and everyone around them.

"We realise it's frustrating to wait for the train to come through but those lights and barriers are there to keep people safe."

Trains are travelling at 60 to 70mph and can take more than a mile to stop, she added.

A number of those seen crossing have been children believed to have been heading to and from Joseph Rowntree School.

There will be an awareness day held at the crossing on Wednesday from as early as 7.30am, with staff on hand to speak to children making their way to school. They will be there until 4.30pm talking to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

Network Rail and the BTP will also be using a camera van to identify drivers who misuse the crossing, as well as handing out leaflets and chatting to drivers when the barriers are down and the traffic is at a standstill.

Cllr Mary Crawford, the chair of Haxby Town Council, said about the high levels of recorded incidents at the crossing: "I'm very concerned about it. The town council would be very anxious to support any initiative.

"I would urge residents to treat the level crossing with respect and to observe the stop signs."

Inspector Richard Price, from BTP, said: “We need drivers and pedestrians to realise level crossing misuse is a danger, not only to their safety, but the safety of others.

“Incredibly, some people are still putting their lives on the line at Haxby Road crossing by ignoring warning lights and sirens and trying to dash through when trains are approaching. This is hugely irresponsible and dangerous and BTP officers will be working closely with Network Rail staff throughout the day to change people’s attitudes and perceptions about the crossing."

York Press:
A train travels across the Haxby Road level crossing. Trains there can be moving at 60mph to 70mph