Network Rail knew Ashtead crossing had 'unacceptable' risks before woman killed by train

An 85-year-old woman was killed by a train travelling at more than 60mph after using a crossing with "unacceptable" risks, an investigation has found. A report published by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), on Tuesday (February 14), found there was "little evidence" Network Rail had considered other options at the Lady Howard footpath and bridleway while waiting for miniature stop lights to be installed.

The report also looked into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death on April 21, 2022. The pedestrian, from Hampton in south-west London, was walking with a dog and a wheeled trolley and started walking over the crossing, near Ashtead, after a train had passed.

But the investigation found she was unaware of a second train approaching in the other direction as the front of it was obscured by the first train. Upon seeing the pedestrian the driver blasted their horn and the woman attempted to hurry over to the other side. She was unable to get clear and was struck at 62mph and instantly killed.

The woman, who had good vision using glasses and good mobility, sustained injuries that were immediately fatal. In their report, the RAIB said a “probable” factor behind the incident was Network Rail, who own and maintain the area at the location of the incident, and the lack of measures to reduce risk at the crossing despite the company deeming it “unacceptable” in the past.

“The latest NRA [narrative risk assessment] for Lady Howard crossing undertaken before the accident, dated October 2021, expressed concerns about vulnerable users and frequent misuse,” the report states.

Ashtead train death — Computer-generated reconstruction of the view from the pedestrian’s perspective looking to her left as she started moving towards the crossing (Image: Accident Investigation Branches)

“Network Rail had planned to install miniature stop lights at the crossing, but complexities with the technology required at this location meant that this solution was not ready for implementation before the accident occurred.

“Although Network Rail had recognised that the risk at Lady Howard crossing was unacceptable, and that a suitable mitigation solution was not yet available, there is little evidence that alternative options were considered as an interim measure to reduce risk to crossing users.”

The RAIB has recommended Network Rail address the risk to pedestrians arising from this type of crossing when a second train is oncoming. They also asked for “appropriate” action to be taken at crossings waiting for longer-term solutions.

Previous concerns had been raised in the area following a near miss at the nearby Green Lane crossing on May 1, 2019. Lady Howard itself is part of a footpath linking Craddocks Avenue to Ashtead Common around 350m to the north-west side of the railway.

The report does acknowledge that Network Rail has already taken action in the aftermath of the incident. This included giving a presentation to residents on level crossing safety, putting up posters warning people of obstructed views from trains, and hopes to install miniature stop lights in February 2024.

Network Rail spokesman Chris Denham said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the person who lost their life at our crossing. Any death on the railway is a tragedy and we are always trying to make our crossings safer.

"In this case, we will be installing warning lights at the foot crossing next year, and in the meantime we’ve placed further warning signs at the crossing, alerting users to the risk of further trains coming when one has just passed. We worked closely with the RAIB on their report and we accept their findings.”

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