A TRAGIC fatality on the level crossing at Bentley Station has triggered a decision by Network Rail to impose improved safety measures.

As from Saturday (December 10) Network Rail has reduced its ‘night time quiet period’ to allow train horns to be sounded later into the evening and earlier in the morning on the approach to level crossings, including those on the Alton to Farnham line.

It has also given a commitment to work with local people to find safer ways of crossing the line.

The change will impact on those living near to the unmanned crossing at Bentley Station where, on October 5, local resident Derek Thomas lost his life while crossing the line on his mobility scooter, after walking his dog in nearby Alice Holt Forest.

Mr Thomas, 83, was on his way home when he was struck by the 4.14pm through-train out of Alton, bound for London Waterloo.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “Level crossings are dangerous; on average eight people are killed accidentally or suffer life-changing injuries at level crossings every year. Hundreds more narrowly avoid accidents by the finest of margins.

“No level crossing can be completely safe, and we are committed to working with communities to find safer ways to cross the railway wherever possible.”

Mr Thomas’s death has raised serious issues over safety on unmanned crossings.

According to fellow Bentley residents, while warning of an impending approach, the sound of the horn gives very little time, when travelling at speed, before the train is through the station and out the other side.

In an e-mail to inform East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds of changes to safety measures at some level crossings in his constituency, Network Rail public affairs manager (Wessex region), Aeneas Tole, wrote: “To reduce the risk of death or injury at level crossings we have in place a number of safety measures.

“At some level crossings, including Bucks Horn Oak and Alice Holt in your constituency, this includes making sure that trains sound a horn on approach.

“Since 2007 train horns have not been used at night at these crossings between the hours of 11pm and 7am, except in an emergency.

“After a review of incidents and near misses at level crossings, however, we have concluded that we must adjust these hours slightly to improve safety.

“As a consequence, from December 10, this ‘night time quiet period’ will reduce by two hours to between midnight and 6am.

“This will provide the warning when it is most needed. It will also mean that we protect the principle of a ‘night-time quiet period’ to minimise the noise impact on residents who live nearby.

“Trains will of course still sound their horn in an emergency, whatever the time of day or night.”