The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is the enforcing authority for level crossings in Great Britain.
We work closely with the rail industry to help improve level crossing safety. The law requires railway businesses to manage level crossing risk effectively using their own safety management systems. ORR's role is to provide assurance that they are doing so. Where necessary, we can take action to make sure a crossing is made safe.
Great Britain’s level crossings are among the safest in Europe. But they still pose a significant safety risk to the public. That means they are a priority for us. Our Strategic Risk Chapter has more details about these risks and our key activities to deliver improved risk management at level crossings.
Our guidance on level crossings, "Principles for managing level crossing safety" supports our strategy for regulating level crossings, which is focussed on continued improvement in risk management. It emphasises that risk should be reduced through the design of a level crossing or through an alternative way of crossing the railway where this is reasonably practicable, and the importance of considering how level crossings are actually used. We have produced case studies to support the level crossing guidance. We will be adding to the case studies over time.
Case study one: Heritage level crossing
Case study two: Footpath level crossing
You should contact Network Rail if there is a safety threat to you or others at a level crossing via their emergency 24 hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41 (other methods of contact are available on their website). Information about how to report crime and other matters to British Transport Police is available on their website.