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10
Jul
Crash prompts call for safety review at Knaresborough train station
A councillor has called for a safety review at Knaresborough railway station following this morning’s crash.
Trains were disrupted for several hours after a van smashed through the level crossing barrier and ended up stuck on the train line.
It appears the van rolled down Kirkgate, struck the wall of a house and narrowly avoided parked cars before hitting the barrier, which failed to withstand the force.
British Transport Police has opened an investigation.
The barrier was catapulted on to the track.
Cllr Matt Walker, who represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire Council, praised police and Network Rail for responding quickly.
But he said this was not the first incident of its kind and called for an investigation. He said:
Network Rail and the police should be thanked for their quick response and getting the trains back and running with minimal disruption.
It appears to have been a freak accident but I will let the police carry out their investigation. From the eye-witness account I’ve been given from a resident it’s a miracle that there wasn’t more damage and no one killed.
It’s not the first time we’ve had a car crash into the station. Network Rail need to review the safety arrangements at the station.
The van stuck on the line.
The eye-witness account sent to Cllr Walker said the empty vehicle started rolling downhill from close to the junction with Finkle Street at about 6.30am.
It struck recycling that had been left out, waking residents, and scraped a house, causing only minor damage, before breaking the barrier at the grade two listed station.
Normal service resumed at about 11am.
The incident caused nine services to be fully cancelled, 14 partially cancelled and 11 delayed.
However, a Network Rail spokesperson indicated there would be no review.
They said:
The new barriers at Knaresborough will be like-for-like replacements. There are no plans to review this or change other barriers following today’s incident.
Level crossing barriers are there to act as a physical divide but are not designed to prevent an incursion onto the railway line.
British Transport Police said enquiries were ongoing and urged witnesses to get in touch.
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