(Railfanning.org News Wire) — Britain’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch has called for changes to the design, regulation and use of private level crossings after a delivery van driver was killed in a collision with a passenger train at a Bax user-worked crossing.
The July 13, 2025, collision occurred near Teynham when a Ramsgate-to-London Victoria passenger train struck a stationary delivery van at about 71 mph. The van driver was killed.
Bax crossing is equipped with outward-opening gates and miniature stop lights. A green light indicates no train is approaching, while a red light and audible warning are activated when a train is detected.
Investigators concluded that the green light displayed when the driver arrived almost certainly led the driver to believe it was safe to enter the crossing after opening the first gate, even though the exit gate remained closed.
RAIB also found that the signs and absence of road markings did not effectively guide the driver through the proper crossing procedure.
The investigation identified broader issues involving the design of user-worked crossings and how drivers interpret information at them. RAIB found that a project to develop new signage had not sufficiently considered the range of information influencing user behavior.
Investigators also found that once miniature stop lights were installed, further safety upgrades became less likely, leaving safe operation heavily dependent on users’ understanding of and compliance with signs.
The driver, who was self-employed but working for a logistics company, also had not received training or guidance that adequately prepared them to use the crossing safely.
RAIB issued four recommendations. They call for Network Rail to review user-worked crossing design, the Department for Transport and industry partners to update legal requirements and guidance, the Health and Safety Executive to review guidance for employers and self-employed drivers, and Network Rail to reconsider how the role of authorized users is defined.
Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents Andrew Hall noted that another delivery driver was killed at a user-worked crossing in Lancashire in August 2026 and urged the rail and delivery industries to address the risks before another serious accident occurs.
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