Concerns remain over rail safety - MP tells Parliament

DEATHS on the rail tracks like the one which happened near Rugby station three weeks ago could be prevented by improving safety, Rugby's MP has told Parliament.

Mark Pawsey called for a debate to consider what further steps may be taken to prevent trespassing and suicides on the railways.

Although new security and suicide prevention measures are being put in place along the track between Rugby and London, Mr Pawsey said he was eager to make sure more.

In October 22-year-old Declan Callum was hit by a train as he rode his motorbike across the line near Brandon Wood.

And more recently a man was hit by a train travelling at 125mph near to Clifton Road bridge. It happened last month and police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Mr Pawsey said: “It is an absolute tragedy that the railways around Rugby have suffered another fatality.

“Whilst this must of course be a devastating time for the person’s family, it does raise further points on the safety of our railways.

“There have been 238 such incidents in the past year, leading to distress for families, psychologically scarred train drivers and disruption for travellers.”

Leader of the House Andrew Lansley said he would ask the Department for Transport to look into the matter.

Train operator Network Rail is investing £10m to build more than 11 miles of new fencing along the track between London and Rugby. The company is also working on suicide prevention measures with the Samaritans.

Stephanie Clifford, chair of Rugby Rail Users Group, said: “Travellers have already seen additional metal security fencing being installed along the line, and new posters at the ends of station platforms show a sympathetic Samaritan's face and phone number.

“Anything that reduces the extreme disruption to train services caused by suicides and children on the line has to be good news. It's good to know Network Rail has identified the main causes for train service disruption.”

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