Network Rail campaign over level crossing safety

Some 108 young people have had near misses with trains at level crossings in Wales over the last five years, prompting a new safety campaign.

Level crossing managers across Wales plan to visit colleges and universities in the coming weeks to emphasise the need to stay alert near the tracks.

Network Rail said some accidents have happened when people were distracted on their phones or listening to music.

It said students moving to new areas might not be aware of the surroundings.

Darren Cottrell, head of level crossing safety at Network Rail, said: "We know a lot of young people move to a new town or city for college or university, and can be unfamiliar with the railway and how the level crossings work in that area.

"We want to work with student organisations and groups to help raise awareness amongst students to keep them safe in their new homes."

The student safety campaign will aim to improve awareness of how different level crossings operate and how to stay safe, including:

• Take off headphones and put away phones so that they can concentrate and understand the warnings that are being given at the level crossing

• Stay alert

• If in a group, not to assume that someone else is looking out for them

• Check both ways before crossing

• Never assume that they know train patterns or that a second train isn't coming if the warnings continue

• Never jump the lights or the barriers - a train is approaching

British Transport Police is also supporting the campaign, the fourth in a series targeting high risk groups including cyclists, dog-walkers and farmers.