Sharp surge in rail safety incidents at Hull level crossing

A busy Hull level crossing has been named as one of the country’s most dangerous rail safety hotspots following a sharp surge in life-threatening incidents. The use of mobile phones is making people distracted and some young people are risking their lives for clicks and likes on social media, rail bosses have warned.

There is specific concern about the Walton Street level crossing over Spring Bank West. The site experiences increased levels of trespass and misuse around the time of Hull Fair, according to Network Rail.

There have already been 24 safety incidents at the crossing since April – an increase of 85 per cent on the previous year. The number of safety incidents is also the highest on the whole of the north and east Network Rail route which is the largest rail area in England.

Common issues at the crossing include pedestrians and cyclists becoming trapped within the barriers, trespass, red-light violations by road vehicles and barrier strikes. There have also been injuries caused by pedestrians crossing over the anti-trespass ‘cattlegrid’ surface.

Rail companies are seeing more distraction from mobile phones and headphones, people becoming complacent about railway safety measures, and there is now a lack of understanding about the risks around the railway, according to rail bosses. However, there is no one single factor behind the increase of incidents in Hull, a spokesperson said.

‘People are not giving the railway their full attention’

Two issues are causing serious concern. Firstly, ‘distraction’ – people looking at their mobile phones and not paying attention to the world around them. And secondly, more and more young people are filming dangerous behaviour for clicks and likes on digital platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat.

“Social media is certainly one of the influences to which young people are exposed. In some cases, dangerous behaviour can attract attention online and generate likes, views or recognition, which can encourage risk-taking. However, it’s important not to suggest that social media is the only cause. Young people are influenced by many different factors, which is why continued education and engagement remain so important,” he explained.

The issue of people being distracted by their phone and not paying proper attention to their surroundings is a huge safety issue, Network Rail say. With Hull Fair being a trending topic with pictures and videos on social media, this could prove to be a particularly dangerous month ahead.

October is the most dangerous month

“One of the biggest concerns is distraction,” the spokesperson said. “Increasing numbers of people are using devices while on the move or wearing headphones, and that can mean they are not giving the railway their full attention. We are also concerned about complacency, particularly among regular users who may think safety measures are unnecessary or believe they know the railway well enough to ignore warnings. In many cases, people simply do not realise the level of risk involved until it’s too late.

“Hull Fair coincides with the period when we typically see the highest proportion of rail safety incidents in the area. It brings large numbers of people together and creates an opportunity to remind people about the importance of making safe choices around the railway. We want those messages to reach as many people as possible before and during the event, helping everyone stay safe.”

The spokesperson said his message to people in East Yorkshire was simple: “The railway is not a place for distractions, shortcuts or risks. Whether it is using a phone while walking, crossing with headphones on, or ignoring safety barriers, a momentary decision can have life-changing consequences.

“At level crossings in particular, once the barriers have lowered, trains often cannot be stopped in time if someone gets into difficulty. That is why we continue to invest in education and engagement, helping people understand the risks so they can make safe choices and keep themselves and others out of harm’s way.”

To help keep young people in East Yorkshire safe, Network Rail and its industry partners have been running an ambitious scheme to encourage Hull pupils to become ‘safety ambassadors’. Rail chiefs hope it will tackle the rapid increase in railway safety incidents in the region.

Nearly 80 teenagers recently took part in interactive safety sessions as Network Rail and industry partners hosted a special education event ahead of Hull Fair. The Year 8 pupils from across Hull and the East Riding attended six activities across two locations, helping them stay safe when using trains and level crossings.

Hull teenagers becoming ‘Rail Safety Ambassadors’

Held at Hull station and Hull Trains’ Bond Street offices on 17 and 18 September, the event brought together Network Rail, Hull Trains, British Transport Police, TransPennine Express, Northern, Pets As Therapy and Railway Children to engage young people in memorable ways, with support from CAF, CK Rail and the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership.

Students rotated through six interactive activities, including train simulator sessions, railway communications demonstrations, virtual reality experiences showing the dangers of the railway, advice on travelling safely by train, safeguarding workshops and careers activities highlighting the wide range of opportunities available within the rail industry.

Chloe Creffield, Network Rail community safety manager, was delighted with the success of the event and was hopeful it would help keep young people safe ahead of the famous fair coming to the city in October.

She said: “Hull Fair is one of the largest events of its kind, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, which makes this the perfect time for our Rail Safety Ambassadors event. Working with our partners, we can provide practical, real-world safety advice, helping young people understand that one moment of distraction around the railway can have life-changing consequences.

“By giving students the knowledge, confidence and awareness to use the railway safely, we’re helping to create a new generation of Rail Safety Ambassadors, while also inspiring young people to explore the wide range of rewarding careers available on the railway.”

Following the event, the young people participating have been encouraged to share what they have learned with friends and family through initiatives such as assemblies, leaflets, presentations and social media content ahead of Hull Fair. Each young person who completed the programme received a Rail Safety Ambassador certificate, recognising their commitment to promoting rail safety within their school and community.