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Rail industry announces fewer train horns at night

From 7 April 2007 the rail industry is making significant changes to its operations, which will affect line-side neighbours and users of footpath crossings.

Between 11pm and 7am trains will no longer routinely sound their horns.

Between 7am and 11pm, where trains are able to, they will only use the lower tone of the two tone horn when passing whistle boards.

This change will benefit neighbours of the railway who can be disturbed by the noise.

For those people who use footpath crossings, between these hours the standard notice at all footpath crossings remains the same - STOP, LOOK and LISTEN. From 7 April the train horn will not be routinely sounded between 11pm and 7am, and users are encouraged to take extra care when crossing between these times.

Network Rail is conducting a prioritised risk assessment to consider whether any crossings require additional measures.

The change is the result of a one year review of the safety of crossings and the impact of train horns on railway neighbours, which involved passenger and freight train operators, Network Rail, Rail Safety and Standards Board and the Office of Rail Regulation.