Network Rail Slammed Over Crossing Safety

By Emma Birchley, East of England Correspondent

A target of zero deaths at level crossings by the end of the decade should be set by rail regulators, according to a report by MPs.

The House of Commons Transport Committee criticised Network Rail (NR) for showing "callous disregard" for bereaved families and urged the organisation to offer apologies for the way it had handled tragedies in the past.

The report also warned that there may be many hundreds of crossings "which exceed Health and Safety Executive guidance on the acceptable level of fatality risk to the public".

Committee chairman Louise Ellman said: "The number of deaths on level crossings must come down and Network Rail must aim for zero deaths by 2020.

"NR has lowered the risk of death at a level crossing by 25% since 2008, but when suicides and trespass are excluded, level crossings still account for one half of all fatalities on the railway in recent years including nine people who died in 2012-13.

"Every one of those deaths was a personal tragedy which could have been averted. Yet looking back it's clear that on too many occasions Network Rail showed a callous disregard for the feelings of the families of people killed or seriously injured in accidents at level crossings."

The chief executive of Network Rail, Mark Carne, responded by issuing "a full and unreserved apology on behalf of Network Rail to all those whose life has been touched by a failing, however large or small, made by this company in managing public safety at level crossings and in failing to deal sensitively with the families affected".

Those families include the relatives of Olivia Bazlinton, 14, and Charlotte Thompson, 13, who were killed at Elsenham in Essex in December 2005.

Network Rail has closed nearly 800 crossings since 2010

They have always argued that key documents were withheld at the inquest and that they faced "a conspiracy of silence".

Mrs Ellman said the lack of transparency around safety concerns at the Elsenham crossing "was particularly shocking and raises profound questions about Network Rail's internal culture and accountability".

The committee's comments have been welcomed by Olivia's father Chris.

"It totally vindicates our view that NR have not done enough in the past to improve safety on level crossings, and that they treated us very badly - not just us but other families who lost relatives in accidents.

"Other families shouldn't have to go through what we have experienced, and we welcome the fact that the committee wants to see NR transform the way it which it treats families, the way it handles legal issues and that bereaved families should be entitled to legal support at inquests."

The MPs also made it clear that they would be concerned if Network Rail executives were to receive bonuses after being prosecuted and fined £500,000 last year over safety failings at a crossing in Beccles, Suffolk.

But the company has stated that if targets are met, bonuses of as much as 60% of salary will be paid.

And that has infuriated Mr Bazlinton.

He said: "I think bonuses are wrong and until the safety issue is resolved and until the safety record is much better, they should not be paid bonuses."

Network Rail says significant progress is being made across the network.

It has closed nearly 800 crossings since 2010 and spent £130m on safety. A further 500 will be shut by 2019.

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Coastal Areas Bid For £64m Storm Relief Fund

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

Coastal communities affected by flooding will be able to bid for a share of a £64m fund.

The Government has said projects to strengthen flood defences will be prioritised.

The fund was originally set up to ensure investment was made in seaside towns and villages, reduce unemployment and create apprenticeships and job opportunities for young people.

During the series of winter storms many coastal communities with already fragile economies have taken a battering both physically and financially.

In Aberystwyth, in west Wales, where the Victorian promenade was badly damaged as high tides and high winds combined to create the worst storms in living memory, the race is on to repair the seafront in time for the start of the tourist season at Easter.

The damaged rail line at Dawlish, in Exeter

Richard Griffiths who owns the Richmond Hotel on the seafront, describes how the waves broke over the promenade and through a sea wall before pummelling the front of his hotel.

He told Sky News investment in stronger defences will be essential to prevent future storms causing similar damage because tourism is a major source of income in the town.

"It's vital for the local economy that Aberystwyth is up and running. It is key to the whole area," he said.

The Government has announced that in England £17m is being allocated to flood hit areas including Great Yarmouth, Weymouth, Devon and North Tyneside.

New projects to help boost tourism across the UK include £170,000 to develop the Arran Coastal Way in Scotland, £270,000 to develop Northern Ireland's first lobster hatchery and £100,000 is being spent on a new water sports centre in Colwyn Bay in Wales.

Residents battle floodwater in Tirley, Gloucestershire

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said: "The Coastal Communities Fund allows us to help communities across the UK to rebuild and regenerate their local economy, with projects this year supporting nearly 4,000 jobs and 1,000 training places.

"This is even more important given the extreme weather and I'm very pleased we're giving £17m of the fund to projects in areas hit by floods.

"Additionally, we have invested £5m from the fund's reserve into the government's programme for flood recovery."

But one expert has told Sky News that if, as he expects, we will see more frequent storms on the scale of those seen over the winter some communities may not withstand the damage.

Dr Stephen Tooth is a geography lecturer at Aberystwyth University. He has studied erosion and says it will be impossible to protect all coastal areas. 

He told Sky News: "There are some very difficult social and political decisions to be made here as to what we value and wish to defend. It's certainly not the case that you can protect everywhere. 

"Tough decisions are going to have to be made at various levels as to where the investment is going to be to protect our coastline, but I think there is tacit acknowledgement that we can't defend everywhere and to some extent, some sections of coastline are going to have to be allowed to erode."

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Leytonstone Murder: Victims Stabbed To Death

Police investigating a double murder say the two victims found in a car were stabbed to death.

Officers were called by paramedics to Montague Road, Leytonstone, northeast London, shortly before 1am on Saturday.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Post-mortem examinations found that Aaron Carriere, 21, died after being stabbed in the neck while the other, Josiah Manful, 20, died from stab wounds to the chest, shock and haemorrhaging, according to Scotland Yard.

Flowers were left at the scene of the killings in Leytonstone

No arrests have been made and a police incident room has opened in Barking.

Part of Montague Road was cordoned off while police forensic teams combed the area, including checking gutters and drains.

Flowers have been left at the scene.

A note attached to one bunch said: "rip aaron, always in our hearts, miss you. From jordan & mum xxx."

In one tribute a person wrote: "Nothing but love my brothers, may you rest in peace. Love Tony."

Young mourners turned up to pay their respects

One resident said: "I left and when I came back I saw it. It's horrible and I just heard what happened. I am so sorry - it's terrible."

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the killings to come forward, by calling the incident room on 020 8345 3715 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Connery 'Shakes And Stirs' Scotland Debate

James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery is urging fellow Scots to vote for independence as the opportunity is "too good to miss".

The Hollywood star claimed a "new nation" with more hope would be created if Scotland backs leaving the UK in September's referendum.

Sir Sean, who does not live in the country but is a well-known supporter of independence, said a Yes vote would "capture the world's attention".

He said: "I fully respect the choice facing Scotland in September is a matter for the people who choose to work and live there - that's only right.

"But as a Scot with a lifelong love of Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss.

He added: "Scotland has the chance to make a step change."

Sir Sean said a Yes vote would mean a "renewed focus on our culture and politics, giving us an unparalleled opportunity to promote our heritage and creative excellence".

David Bowie wants Scotland to remain part of the UK

He explained: "Simply put there is no more creative an act than creating a new nation."

The movie star, 83, said he was "particularly excited" about the prospects that independence could offer the film and creative industries.

He claimed these could be boosted by more investment, helping to create jobs north of the border with the "international promotion of Scotland as an iconic location".

Writing in an article in the Sun on Sunday and the New Statesman, he said a bigger and more confident film and broadcast sector could help bring about an inflow of resources and new jobs and training.

But the Better Together campaign - which wants Scotland to stay in the UK - says independence would mean losing jobs, and create more uncertainty, instability and barriers for business.

Last month, singer David Bowie, in a message read by model Kate Moss at the Brit Awards, urged Scots to remain a part of the UK, saying: "Stay with us Scotland."

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Moazzam Begg Remanded Over Terror Charges

Ex-Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg has appeared in court charged with providing terrorist training and funding terrorism overseas.

The 45-year-old British citizen, from Hall Green, Birmingham, was one of four people arrested earlier this week on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to the Syria conflict.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today alongside a woman, Gerrie Tahari, 44, of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, who also denied funding terrorism overseas.

Begg was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on March 14.

Both were arrested on Tuesday with two other men held on suspicion of facilitating terrorism overseas.

Begg was released from Guantanamo Bay in January 2005

The pair - a 36-year-old man from Shirley, Solihull, and a 20-year-old man from Sparkhill, Birmingham, who is the son of Tahari - remain in police custody.

Begg was held by the US government at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba for nearly three years after being arrested in Pakistan in February 2002.

He was detained on suspicion of being a member of al Qaeda before being released without charge in January 2005.

He was allowed to return to the UK where he was arrested by police before being released without charge.

Begg is a director of Cage - which campaigns "against the War on Terror" - and has always maintained that he has never been involved in any kind of terrorist activity.

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Leytonstone Double Murder: Police Investigate

Police are investigating a double murder after two men were found dead in a car in east London.

Police were called to a road in Leytonstone just before 1am by London Ambulance Service after reports of two injured men in the area.

Met Police officers and paramedics found the pair, believed to be in their twenties, in a vehicle and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

Young mourners turned up at the scene of the murders in Leytonstone

Scotland Yard said an incident room has been set up in Barking and officers are working to identify the victims and inform their families.

Part of Montague Road in Leytonstone has been cordoned off and police forensics experts have been examining an area around the vehicle, which has been covered by a tent.

A note left with flowers says: 'You will forever be in our hearts'

Flowers have been left at the scene, with one note reading: "To Aaron & Josiah, I can't believe what has happened to my good friends! You will forever be in our hearts & will never be forgotten, may you both rest in peace." 

Post-mortem examinations are due to take place on Saturday afternoon at Walthamstow mortuary.

There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

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