A safety warning has been issued by Alsager Town Council after reports that a man crossed the railway barrier while it was down.
In a post on social media, the council reminded residents that it was “extremely dangerous and puts people’s lives at risk” to cross the tracks when warning signals were in operation.
It said: “We have received reports of people crossing the railway line at Alsager Station level crossing while the barriers are down.
“The barriers and warning lights are there to keep everyone safe, and they should never be ignored or bypassed.
“We have raised our concerns with British Transport Police and would urge everyone to take extra care when using the crossing.
“Please wait until the barriers are fully raised and it is safe to cross.”
The council urged members of the public to contact British Transport Police if they witnessed any “unsafe behaviour” near to the railway line.
In a further update on Wednesday, the council said: “We believe it is important that parents, carers, schools and community groups take every opportunity to speak with children and young people about railway safety, helping them to understand the risks and make safe decisions.
“A moment’s distraction can have devastating consequences. By raising awareness and having these important conversations, we can all play a part in keeping our communities safe.
“Thank you for your understanding and continued support in promoting railway safety.”
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said they had received a report that a man jumped the barrier on Audley Road at around 10pm last Tuesday night, before quickly boarding a train.
It said: “You might think you’re saving time, but you could be putting yourself and others in serious danger.
“Level crossings can be incredibly dangerous and if warning signs are ignored or missed, the consequences could potentially be catastrophic.
“We deal with numerous incidents each month at level crossings, and through patrols, CCTV enquiries and close collaboration with our Network Rail partners, we will always seek to prosecute serious offences to deter misuse.”
Level crossings in the UK are generally safe, and a Parliamentary report said the UK had one of the best safety records in Europe.
As of 2019, there were more than 6,000 level crossings, and on average, there were nine deaths, seven major injuries and 23 minor injuries on level crossings each year.
Twenty-two people who died in accidents while trespassing on railways in the year April 2024 to March 2025. They involved 17 trespass fatalities on the mainline, four on the London Underground and one on the non-mainline network. There were five fatalities at level crossings that involved pedestrians on the mainline during that period, according to the Office of Rail and Road.
(Photo: Google Maps).
