Hi all, at level crossings should you phone the operator to let you cross with your outfit or continue as normal because it says "large vehicles or slow vehicles park here and phone crossing" this question just confused me so I need some opinions.
I thought so because i just crossed as normal but it on the other side of the crossing it says park here is the sign placed correctly? so next time i will call the operator thanks.Val A. said:My OH, who worked in Railway Safety for many years, says 'Yes' definitely. Many people don't, and those people would say 'don't bother' - but strictly speaking the answer is Yes!
Thanks for clearing this up for me.Sproket said:The advice of Network Rail is in the link below for a user worked crossing with telephoneDriving
- Stop, look both ways and listen to make sure a train is not coming. If a train is coming wait in a safe place.
- You must use the telephone to get permission to cross if crossing with vehicles or animals.
- When you have permission to cross, open the gates on both sides of the railway.
- Cross quickly and stay alert, do not stop on the crossing.
- Close both gates after crossing, never leave them open.
- You must call railway staff back after crossing if they asked you to.
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossings/types-of-level-crossing/user-worked-crossings/
It's not a case of opinions, your life & others are at risk if you don't follow the instructions at each & every crossing......
http://www.fentons.co.uk/newsroom/latest-news/rail-crash-raises-more-concerns-over-unmanned-crossings/
hi John, there is one in Eggbrough north yorkshire, BUT it is on the entrance to a fishing lake down a "B road" you have to phone it is mandatory and the gates are allways set for the railway. incidentaly I think there is an electronic lock on them that he releases when you phone"Prof John L said:But when was the last time you actually came across an unmanned manual crossing?? In over 40 years of motoring I can recall only one, and that was on a preserved railway line where the engines had to stop to to change the gates to allow them through. At all other times they were set for road traffic.
Prof John L said:When it comes to manually operated crossing without a gateman, then if you have any doubts, then safety must come first, and you should use the phone. Better an ear bashing form the signalman or who ever answeres the phone for disturbing them unecesarily , than to have a tradegy.
I'm not trying to nit pick, but that clearly is not the case, In some cases as in the example I gave the gates were normally closed to the trains and normally open to traffic.Gafferbill said:........all such crossings always have the gates shut to road traffic.
hi all,Val A. said:Different crossings - different sets of rules - but to be honest, what harm does a phone call do - and it may just save your life! These notices ARE there for a reason! Network Rail is very conscious of safety - unfortunately many road users aren't.
steveinleo said:However should twerp nav of mis-lead you down to an un-barriered crossing, it would be prudent to phone for advice, if the phone exist's and the local "hill billy's" haven't wrecked it. Failing that you could post a lookout (responssible adult).