Network Rail sorry for level crossing accidents

Network RailNetwork Rail has said that it is sorry for accidents on its level crossings across the country admitting that the company failed in managing public safety.

Chief executive Mark Carne has apologised for "failings" in managing public safety and for "failing to deal sensitively" with affected families. The company offered a full and unreserved apology to the family affected by the accidents.

The company said that the risks at level crossings have been reduced by a quarter since 2010. The company apologised after the MPs released a report criticising the way it handled tragedies. The House of Commons transport committee criticised the company for the deaths of Olivia Bazlinton, 14, and Charlotte Thompson, 13, at Elsenham crossing, in Essex, in December 2005. Network Rail was fined £1 million for health and safety breaches in the relation to the accident.

The committee's chairwoman, Louise Ellman, said, "NR has lowered the risk of death at a level crossing by 25% since 2008, but when suicides and trespass are excluded, level crossings still account for one half of all fatalities on the railway in recent years, including nine people who died in 2012-13."