Network Rail has pleaded guilty to three breaches of safety legislation in relation to the deaths of two teenagers at a level crossing in Essex six years ago.

At a hearing in Basildon Magistrates’ Court today (31 January) the company admitted breaching regulations 3(1) (b) and 5(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, as well as section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974.

Olivia Bazlinton, 14, and Charlotte Thompson, 13, were hit by a train as they crossed the tracks via the station footpath at Elsenham, near Bishop’s Stortford. The girls had been able to access the crossing via unlocked wicket gates. Safety features, including locked gates, were introduced in September 2006.

An inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death in 2007 but, following its own investigation into the incident, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) announced in November last year that it would prosecute Network Rail, after further documents from the company came to light. It is alleged that the company had been aware of safety concerns at the Elsenham crossing since 2002.

http://www.shponline.co.uk/news-content/full/fresh-level-crossing-evidence-leads-to-prosecution

After the plea was entered today, the ORR said: “Our thoughts are with the families of Olivia and Charlotte. ORR will do everything it can to ensure that the prosecution proceeds as quickly as possible."

Olivia’s father, Chris Bazlinton, welcomed the guilty plea, telling the BBC: “It proves we have been lied to over the years.” He added: “I believe there are still many specific questions about what happened, which are still unanswered, and generally about why the revelations only emerged over the past 12 months – six years after the accident.”

The case was committed to Chelmsford Crown Court for a sentencing hearing on 15 March.