Phil Dawn was killed whilst crossing the Kings Mill / Barrow crossing at Sutton in Ashfield. This was an unnecessary death. Network Rail had ignored their own risk assessments acknowledging the crossing as being high risk and ignored the resulting recommendations for this crossing, leaving it without flashing lights, without barriers, no locked gates and no bridge. Funding and the high number of dangerous crossings were given as reasons for their inaction. Two months prior to Phil’s death they admitted the need for a bridge due to the high speed of the trains but they failed to put any interim measures in place to protect the public (details can be found in the Rail Accident Investigation Branch report which is available on line).

Research shows that human beings get distracted by many things, music, background noise, children, pets, animals, mobile phones to name but a few, but Network Rail think that it is ok to put the responsibility for public safety on the user. Human beings by their very nature will act as human beings and we are all fallible at times to becoming distracted. It is wrong that Phil’s human nature and fallibility should be used to distract from the fact that this is a highly dangerous crossing. Kings Mill / Barrow crossing is part of the widely used Timberland Trail. It is advertised as being a multi-user crossing and see’s people with all kinds of disabilities and of all ages use it. Mobility scooters, cyclists, dog walkers and parents with pushchairs all use this crossing that relies on the sound of the trains horn and signs telling the user how to cross as their only defense against the 60mph trains. Furthermore this public crossing is sited just after a bend in the track.

Phil Dawn, father of three, was not under the influence of any substances, he was not acting the fool and he did not consciously risk his own life. Network Rail have been provided with £109 million pounds to spend on rail safety. Prior to Phil’s death they themselves believed that this crossing was high risk and needed a bridge but now they will not confirm that this is their intention. Kings Mill crossing needs a bridge please sign our petition to ensure that Network Rail cannot ignore the strength of public opinion and to ensure Phil’s death was not in vain.