Too long to wait at the crossing
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: I was interested to note the melodramatic impact (literally) Railtrack achieved when it demonstrated how horrific a collision between train and car can be at a railway crossing (photograph, 7 September). We all know who's likely to win such a contest.
Better, surely, to consider why a car driver in a hurry will risk all when the crossing barriers come down. It is partly Railtrack's or British Rail's fault because they insist on lowering the barriers for such a long time. I can sit in my car, fuming, at barriers on the Richmond line for minutes at a time before a train trundles past. Why be so ludicrously cautious?
When I was in France last month I watched a SNCF rail crossing in operation. The road barriers came down just 10 seconds before the train hurtled through and were up again three seconds later.
So, Railtrack, that's why you risk having impatient drivers challenge the road barriers - they don't believe a train's arrival is so imminent that they can't chance a charge round the barriers. Be realistic and the fatalities will drop.
Yours sincerely,
JOHN LILLEY
Kew, Surrey
7 September
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments