Action at level crossing 'has taken too long'

Seven people died in 2004 when a high-speed train crashed into a car that had deliberately stopped on the unmanned half-barrier level-crossing at Ufton Nervet.
Last year David Montague, of Woodley, died when his scooter was hit while the barriers were down.
A report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch last year also detailed a chilling near-miss between a car and a train, which was attributed to human error and bad practice by a signaller.
Calls to improve safety at the crossing came from district councillor Geoff Mayes (Lib Dem, Mortimer) who gathered more than 340 signatures petitioning Network Rail to install full barriers and CCTV on the site.
However, in November last year the rail firm announced it would be replacing the crossing with a bridge.
Speaking to the BBC the chief executive for the Office for Rail Regulation, Richard Price, said: “Nine years since a tragic accident is an awfully long time to wait for action. Network Rail has been under pressure to improve the speed at which it acts around planning and land acquisition.
A spokesman for the ORR said: “The regulator supports Network Rail’s plans, announced in late 2012, to build a bridge to replace the level crossing at Ufton Nervet. We recognise the company is currently working hard with West Berkshire Council to progress timescales for the works.”
However, despite the announcement being made last year, Network Rail is still in the process of negotiating land purchases.
Spokeswoman Dayle Sellars, said: “Work to close Ufton Nervet level crossing is ongoing as we continue to develop a bridge solution and confirm a programme of work with our partners at West Berkshire Council.
“At present, discussions around land acquisition and design are progressing simultaneously as the two are mutually linked, however early indications show that a solution is likely to be confirmed in the New Year.”
The MP for Wokingham, John Redwood, said he agreed that the proposed changes had taken too long.
"I strongly support measures to improve safety at Ufton Nervet and am pursuing Network Rail to come up with a solution and to implement it. I did not ask for a bridge but will not turn one down if they want it but I did say why not start with CCTV?”
Mr Redwood said that he had lobbied the transport minister on the issue.
“He has done what he can but what we want now is for [Network Rail] to get on with it,” he added.
The comments over Ufton Nervet come in the same week that the ORR announced, in its final draft of 2014-19 rail funding, that Network Rail would be receiving more than £21 bn over the next five years.
More than £12 bn will be used on easing congestion and improving performance and it will also be increasing funding to upgrade or close level crossings by £32m to £109m.