Rise in number of people killed while trespassing on railway

Trespass fatalities rose from 44 in 2008-09 to 49 in 2009-10, the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) reported.

There were 12 deaths involving the general public at level crossings in 2009-10 – the same number as in the previous year.

The number of train collisions with road vehicles dropped from 21 in 2008-09 to 14 in 2009-10.

For the fourth year in the last five, there were no deaths of passengers or rail workers in train accidents in 2009/10.

Five passengers died in incidents at stations, the same figure as in 2008-09, while three rail workers were killed in accidents in 2009-10.

In its annual safety performance report, the RSSB also said the number of serious incidents of signals passed at danger reached a record annual low of 277 in 2009/10, a reduction of 15. Policy, research and risk director Anson Jack said: "Over the last 10 years, the industry has been able to effect the biggest safety improvements in areas where it has direct control and responsibility."