Husband to sue over Little Bedwyn level crossing death

Julia Canning, aged 55, was walking her dogs when she was hit by the First Great Western 17.11 service from Newbury to Bedwyn, at Fairfield level crossing, on May 6, 2009.
At Southampton Crown Court in June, Network Rail was fined £356,250 and ordered to pay £19,485 costs after the Office of Rail Regulation prosecuted the company for failing to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians.
Now, Mrs Canning’s widower, the Hon Spencer Canning, is suing Network Rail for £600,000, for negligence.
“Having listened to the evidence carefully in the criminal case, it’s made me much more aware of the circumstances that led to my wife’s death and that has prompted me to take civil proceedings.
“Papers have been lodged by my lawyer to Network Rail,” Mr Canning added.
The level crossing, which is situated near Fore Bridge and has no barriers, has remained open
since Mrs Canning’s death, more than three years ago.
Mr Canning, the eldest son of the fifth Baron Garvagh, has called for safety improvements at the site.
“From what I heard in court when the Office of Rail Regulation presented its evidence, it is abundantly clear that the crossing is extremely dangerous.
“I want to see the crossing remain open, but the only way to do that is to install a traffic light system triggered by trains approaching the crossing,” he said.
Mr Canning, who founded Asset Plus One Ltd, Northcroft Lane, Newbury, said that he and his three children, Cordelia, Florence and Stratford, had been left devastated by his wife’s death.
Mrs Canning was former parish clerk to Little Bedwyn and a popular contributor to village life.
Network Rail spokesman, Chris Denham said: “We have received a claim from Mr Canning and we are currently reviewing that claim.”