A LEVEL crossing in North Yorkshire which has been marked out as one of the most dangerous in the north-east has become the focal point of a safety awareness campaign.

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) and Network Rail staff yesterday set up high-visibility patrols at the crossing in Doncaster Road, Selby, where they say motorists have regularly put lives at risk by ignoring warning lights and sirens and driving across as trains approach.

The team handed out leaflets and advice as part of the enforcement and education campaign designed to show people of the potentially deadly dangers if they take chances by trying to shave seconds off their journey.

Schools liaison officers have also been staging presentations and workshops to children near the crossings identified as posing the biggest risk, including Brayton High School.

BTP operations inspector Tracy Metcalf said: “The problems come from people thinking they can take a chance and get away with it, especially if they are local and the crossing is familiar to them.

“They often know the train times and how long they have got to get across and are prepared to take the risk. But it only needs one person to get it wrong and the consequences can be catastrophic.”

She said their campaign was aimed at educating drivers, as well as pedestrians who might be tempted to hop over the barriers.

“For the sake of a couple of seconds off a journey, it’s just not worth it, and a split-second decision could be the last one you ever make – that is the reality of it, because it is not often that a car wins against a train.”

Inspector Metcalf said the force would continue to take action against offenders, who could expect a fine or points on their driving licence.

Vicki Beadle, Network Rail’s community safety manager, said: “We understand the frustration which can be caused when the barriers are down and people are in a rush, but we are asking people just to stop and think about the potential consequences. Days like these are really important to help support the safety message.”