Safety concerns raised over Hull Fair level crossing near misses

With Hull Fair set to begin today, Network Rail is issuing stark warnings about safety at the Walton Street level crossing, where there have been numerous near misses.

Officers have reported risky behaviours, including people crossing after warning lights activate and using narrow gaps between tracks.

Drivers have also been witnessed speeding through the crossing as barriers start to descend.

Paul Allison, Local Operations Manager for Hull at Network Rail, highlighted the increased footfall at the crossing during local events like Hull Fair and the upcoming football match between Hull and Everton.

Paul said, “It's very dangerous. The way the crossing works is that a train's approaching the crossing and the signaller will then start the sequence to set the alarms off and lower the barriers. So if you ignore the sequence, are you the lights or the barriers coming down and try and race them, at that point, the signaller might not be able to see you and might not be able to stop the train in time, so it's a very dangerous thing to do.”

The crossing features a dual carriageway with an anti-trespass cattle grid, which has led to injuries when people rush across, getting shoes caught or tripping.

Paul stressed the importance of obeying crossing instructions to avoid accidents.

Network Rail is considering additional measures such as patrols to manage risks during the fair.

Focusing on safety awareness, Network Rail aims to ensure that visitors can enjoy the fair responsibly and return home safely.