New signs for user worked level crossings are set to be introduced following a collision between a delivery van and a train at Home Farm near Alsager.

And the Rail Investigation Branch (RAIB), who carried out the investigation, has written to the delivery company asking it to brief drivers about the correct use of this type of level crossing. 

Neither the van driver nor anyone on the train was injured in the accident on February 11th, although the collision caused serious damage to the van and some damage to the train

A preliminary investigation, carried out by the Rail Investigation Branch (RAIB), https://www.gov.uk/government/news/collision-between-a-train-and-a-delivery-van-at-home-farm-level-crossing revealed the accident revealed the accident happened because the van was driven onto the level crossing area when a train was approaching.

The report states: "While the van driver was able to stop the van before the train reached the crossing, the front of the van remained close enough to the rails to be struck by the train.

"Although the train driver saw the van around three to four seconds before reaching the crossing and applied the brakes and sounded the warning horn, the train was still travelling at about 30 mph (48 km/h) when the collision occurred."

The correct method of operation at Home Farm user worked level crossing is described on the signs at the crossing which require the drivers of all vehicles to contact the signaller and get permission to cross the railway, say RAIB.

"This is because vehicle drivers cannot see far enough along the railway line to be able to tell whether it is safe to cross," the report goes on to say.

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"Records show there was no call made to the signaller to ask for permission to cross at Home Farm on this occasion."

The RAID go on to say they will not be conducting a full investigation into this incident however they are concerned that this incident is very similar to one which occurred at Frognal Farm level crossing in October 2017 (RAIB report 12/2018), also involving a delivery vehicle.

RAIB has written to the delivery company and asked it to brief its drivers about the correct use of this type of level crossing and to raise this issue at any cross-industry forums which it is a member of.

They also say they are aware that the Department for Transport is proposing to introduce new signs for user worked level crossings such as Home Farm in response to previous RAIB recommendations.