Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps with (a) Network Rail and (b) train operating companies to help reduce pedestrian safety incidents on level crossings in Shropshire.

The Department provided £34.7bn in direct funding to Network Rail to be spent in the period 2019-2024 on the operation, maintenance, and renewal of the mainline railway, including level crossings. In Shropshire, level crossings have directly benefited from funding to improve user safety, which has included the closure of 10 of the highest risk level crossings and the installation of overlay miniature stop lights at several crossings across the County, including Saltmoor, Stokeswood and Micklewood level crossings, amongst others. In implementing these measures, Network Rail has collaborated closely with lineside neighbours, local authorities, train operators and level crossing managers to identify risks, so that they can be addressed quickly, for example by installing new surfaces, clearing vegetation and improving access for users.