RMT warns of ‘lineside lottery’ as rail bosses tell Train Drivers to pipe down
RMT: 21 April 2007
RAIL SAFETY CHIEFS are putting lives of members of the public at risk in a “lineside lottery” by instructing train drivers not to sound train warning horns RMT General Secretary, Bob Crow, leader of Britain’s largest rail union said today.
New instructions last month from rail industry bosses mean train drivers will no longer sound train horns between 11pm and 7am and will only use the lower tone of the two tone horn at warning boards between 7am and 11pm from April 2007.
“The Rail Safety and Standards Board say this reduction in noise will benefit people living near rail lines” Bob Crow said, “but Train Drivers rely on being able to give clear, audible warnings of the danger to anyone on or near the line when trains approach railway foot crossings.”
“’Whistle boards’ are without doubt potential life-savers provided at many of the rail network’s 2,800 footpath crossings, where Train Drivers often have restricted visibility due to leaf foliage or curvature of the line”, said Bob. “Yet Network Rail is still assessing whether crossings require additional safety measures and crossing users are being encouraged to take extra care.”
“Many train drivers have suffered devastating experiences of a near miss, or worse a collision caused by members of the public using railway foot crossings incorrectly,” said Bob. “This new instruction to reduce the use of warning horns will not improve rail safety and could contribute to accidents.”
The change is the result of an industry review of crossing safety and the impact of train horns on railway neighbours after complaints about horns capable of sounding at 135 decibels fitted to some new trains. MPs last year called for the installation of broadband horns, which would produce a significant reduction in noise nuisance.
“The Railway Safety and Standards Board has once again failed to consult with the trade unions on a safety matter and seems to have gone for the cheapest option by simply ordering drivers not to sound train horns at all. As we approach the summer holidays when public use of footpaths and crossings becomes more popular this crazy instruction will make the use of foot crossings on the rail network a lineside lottery,” Bob Crow warned.
- ends –
- For further information on this story contact: RMT Press Office, Brian Denny 07903376303