8:48am Friday 7th November 2008
By Daniel Orr
A FARMER who lives close to the level crossing where a man lost his life on Monday says he believes barriers are needed at the site.
Stuart Wilson, of Wyke Farm, Allithwaite, which overlooks the railway line, does not think the current precautions put in place by Network Rail at Wraysholme level crossing are enough to stop another accident happening again.
At the moment, warning signals flash to warn motorists and pedestrians of an oncoming train, but the tragedy on Monday was the second time this year that a train has collided with a car at the crossing.
In February, two men were rushed to hospital after the 08.27am Manchester Airport to Barrow passenger train smashed in to their Land Rover 4x4.
Mr Wilson said that before the lights were put in place in July 1981, there were gates which would be operated by a person in the gatehouse.
A regular user of the Carlisle to Lancaster service - which has a maximum speed of 55mph - is Allan Ball, who is a member of Furness Line Action Group, or FLAG, and he warned that there would be another death soon if action wasn’t taken.
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