Moreton-on-Lugg level crossing trial: Court told that locking device would have prevented death (From Ledbury Reporter)

Jane Harding, from Marden, died following collision between her car and a train at Moreton-on-Lugg level crossing

1:27pm Wednesday 6th February 2013 in News

NETWORK Rail declined to spend money on a system that would have saved the life of a Herefordshire woman who died at a level crossing, a court was told this week.

Jane Harding died when the car she was travelling in was in collision with a train at the Moreton-on- Lugg crossing in January 2010.

The 52-year-old’s husband Mark, who was driving the black Volkswagen Tourareg, survived the crash.

A Vauxhall Astra, containing Carol Anne Thornwell and her daughter, was also hit.

Birmingham Crown Court this week heard that signalman Adrian Maund lifted the barriers after he thought a Manchester to Milford Haven train had passed the crossing.

But prosecutor Philip Mott said that Maund’s fatal mistake could have been averted if an approach locking device, which would have cost less than £40,000, had been fitted.

For the full story, see tomorrow's Hereford Times.