It was recently announced that train services are to resume on the Marston and Abbey Vale lines, after a period without trains due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Network Rail has released a reminder to people to take extra care when using the level crossing along the lines.
With few trains running on the lines, they will have become used to seeing no trains when using the road and foot crossings.
British Transport Police, along with Network Rail, will be in the area to remind people to take care and not trespass on the railway.
Foot crossings, in Lidlington, Millennium Park crossing near Millbrook station, and school crossing in Woburn Sands, are set to close when trains return on 24 August. Nearby barrier crossings are available in these locations.
Johnny Amadi-Ahuama, level crossing manager for Network Rail, said: “Not following the rules when using road and foot crossings over the railway can have devastating consequences. With so few trains running on the Marston and Abbey Vale lines over recent months, I'd like to remind people that it's really important that they treat the railway with the caution and respect they need to.
“I'll be working hard with my colleagues, the British Transport Police and train operator London Northwestern Railway to get this message out there so everyone in the area stays safe when passenger services return on August 24.”
Lawrence Bowman, customer experience director for LNR, said: “I would like to thank our customers on the Marston and Abbey Vale lines for their patience and understanding while we have been working hard to bring back their train service.
“The coronavirus had an unprecedented impact on our train crew and we had to make hard decisions on how to use our available resources to move the maximum number of passengers. I am pleased we will once again see passenger trains on both routes from next week and we hope to run an even fuller service later this year.”
Inspector Martin Turner, Sector Commander for the British Transport Police, said: “My officers will be increasing patrols as the lines reopen. Trespass, vandalism and anti-social behaviour on or near the railway line is extremely dangerous and can result in death or serious injury.
“Officers will be proactively engaging with users of road and foot crossings and won't hesitate to prosecute those flouting the law. Treat the railway with the respect and caution it deserves. Don't risk yours or others' lives to save a few minutes of time. Anyone witnessing criminal acts can report them via text on 61016 or phone on 0800 405040. In an emergency always dial 999.”
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With the Abbey Vale Line (or known as Abbey Flyer). Why not build a passing loop at Bricket Wood to allow one train from Watford Junction and one train from St. Albans Abbey to pass each other. Which could save time and to make journeys more efficient. Same with adding a passing loop on the Braintree branch line at Cressing in Essex. So that Greater Anglia can operate few trains on the Braintree line with a passing loop being built.
Yellow flashing lights warn of stationery or slow moving vehicles. If crossing users aren’t looking for trains they won’t see any lights.
I think trains that run on lines with level crossings should have yellow flashing lights, if bin lorries, street sweepers and breakdown vehicles can use yellow flashing lights why not trains ? Some pedestrians are killed because they don’t hear the train in time and others because they were listening to music on earphones and what about deaf people ? Blue flashing lights might be more noticable but I expect Police, Fire and Ambulance services will object to there use by non-emergency vehicles.
Why not install new footbridges to make it safer for pedestrians, school children and walkers to cross over the railway tracks when trains are back in service. And to close some of the pedestrian level crossings.
Nice to see Network Rail accepts that public footpaths cross the railway in some parts of the country. Not where I live in North Yorkshire though where they’ve illegally blocked off two.