Rail safety warning issued ahead of Hull Fair

People are being reminded of the dangers of trespassing on a railway line at a level crossing ahead of Hull Fair.

Network Rail said the Walton Street crossing, next to the fairground site and close to Hull station, sees large numbers of pedestrians during the annual event.

Earlier, children attended a workshop where they learned about the dangers of trespassing on the railway.

Chloe Creffield, Network Rail's community safety manager, said: "It is crucial that you make those choices that will always keep you safe."

According to Network Rail, there have been 24 safety incidents at Walton Street level crossing since 1 April, an 85% increase on the same period last year.

Common incidents included pedestrians and cyclists becoming trapped behind the barriers, trespassing on the railway and motorists ignoring red lights.

Creffield said: "Most people don't realise that when the actual barrier has gone into that closed position, it means the train can't be stopped.

"If we see anybody slipping and falling, even if we can see them on our cameras, we can't stop the train."

There have also been injuries involving pedestrians crossing the dual carriageway using the cattle grid surface, Network Rail said.

Network Rail held a rail safety event, where Year 8 students took part in interactive activities aimed at promoting safety around railways and level crossings.

The sessions, held at Hull station and Hull Trains' Bond Street offices, included train simulator experiences, railway communications demonstrations and virtual reality activities. Another event is due to take place on Friday.

Zach, 12, said the train driver simulator gave him an appreciation for train drivers. "They're really skilled," he said.

When using the simulator, Rory, 12, ran over an obstacle. He said: "I wasn't looking. It makes sure you're like always looking and making sure there's nothing in the way."

He added: "My parents make sure that I'm trying to stay safe on roads and railways.

"I don't really use the train much, but I know that you're not meant to do anything stupid."

Sam Hook, driver and instructor for Hull Trains, said: "We have to stop the whole railway for trespassers and then we have to go slow and try and get the trespassers off the rail and then everything becomes delayed."

She added: "People do take chances all the time and it's not very nice as a driver's point of view because we can see them from afar.

"So our initial instinct would be we give warning horns over to make sure that they might move out of the way and if not we put the train into emergency."

Students are being encouraged to share what they learned through assemblies, leaflets, presentations and social media content ahead of Hull Fair.

Those who complete the programme would receive a rail safety ambassador certificate.

The event comes ahead of Hull Fair, a time during which Network Rail usually reported an increase in trespassing at the Walton Street level crossing.

Hull Fair will return to Walton Street on 9 October and will run until 17 October. Last year saw more than 500,000 people attend the event.

"We have a lot of people who misuse the railway around that time," Creffield said.

Creffield shared some advice on how to stay safe around level crossings and railways:

• Pedestrians should not rely on technology, it can break so always stop, look and listen
• Do not duck under or jump over the barriers
• Motorists should not enter the yellow box unless they can see the exit is clear
• Motorists should not tailgate the car in front
• Do not stand on the yellow line on railway platforms

Creffield said: "All these things do have dangers associated with them. We have had people getting hurt and we just want everybody to go home safe every single day."

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices