Level crossings : Cyclists must mind the gap

An 84-year-old was one of two cyclists thrown from their bikes when their front wheels became lodged in gaps at recently-upgraded level crossings.

Mr John Price, of Morton, was cycling across Fiskerton Junction level crossing when the front wheel of his bike fell into an 18cm deep gap between two slabs.

He was thrown over his handlebars but came away largely unscathed, despite having undergone a recent hernia operation.

He believes the gap, which was just wide enough for his bike wheel to fit in, was left by Network Rail workers who recently upgraded the crossing.

Mr Price, a former engineer who has lived in Morton for 45 years, said: “There is no doubt about it, I was shaken up by this.

“I use cycling as a means of exercise.

“I came to a dead-stop and went right over, but I had been moving slowly.

“I sat there for a long while and wondered whether I was actually injured.

“I just cannot believe how my wheel went down a hole in the level crossing like that.”

'Nothing but misery'

Mr Price said there had been problems with the level crossings at Fiskerton since they were upgraded in October, 2016, as part of an east Nottinghamshire re-signalling project.

Seven level crossings were upgraded and all the barriers on the route are now controlled by a remote centre in Derby.

Since the upgrade, the barriers at Fiskerton and other level crossings on the Newark to Nottingham line have suffered faults, having stuck in either the up or down position.

Mr Price’s son, Mr Chris Price, said: “We live in Morton and have had nothing but misery since [Network Rail] have been and dealt with the crossings.

“I cannot understand how they can leave gaps in line with where bikes would go.

“My father is 84 and the only thing he does to keep himself going is bike around the block.

“He is very shook up and we haven’t heard anything back from Network Rail about this.

“How my father did not do himself more damage, I have no idea. I can only put it down to the sheer amount of clothing he was wearing.

“He is back on the bike but shook up about it.”

Mr Andrew Owen, 41, of Rolleston, a friend of Mr Chris Price, had a similar accident at the level crossing in Fiskerton in September.

His front wheel went into a similar-sized gap between two slabs at a crossing that had also been recently upgraded.

He suffered cuts and bruises to his face, arms and body and was treated at Newark Hospital.

Mr Owen said: "I never even saw it coming - the first I knew about it I was on the floor having to drag myself and the bike off the crossing.

"I think the biggest problem I have is having the confidence to get back on my bike."

Mr Owen said he used to cycle five times a week having taken it up three years ago for a charity ride.

"Only in the last couple of weeks have I finally got back on it. I am nervous of anything on the road," he said.

"There have been many issues with the level crossings here with lights flashing and the barriers still being up.

"What concerns me the most is the fact that someone can lift one of these slabs and not be competent enough to put it back correctly and not consider the safety of the general public."

Mr Owen said he was incredibly grateful to everyone who stopped to help him following his accident and to the staff at Newark Hospital who treated his injuries.

A spokesman for Network Rail said they were investigating Mr Price's incident and would be contacting him directly. They declined to comment further.