Watchdog to probe tram crossing safety after crash

The safety of tram crossings in Sheffield is to be investigated by a rail watchdog following a crash which left two pedestrians injured.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said it would "seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the incident" in which two young people were struck by a tram on a crossing at Staniforth Road in Darnall on 22 June.

The RAIB said its inquiry would consider "the management of risk at this crossing" and the wider strategy of the Supertram system operator for mitigating risks at similar crossings in the city.

It would also assess "the audibility of warnings to users by trams at such crossings" and the "instruction and assessment of tram drivers".

The RAIB said: "The tram was travelling at around 15mph (25 km/h) at the time of the collision.

"The pedestrians, who were young people, were both injured in the accident, one of them seriously."

The crossing is south of the junction of Woodbourn Road and Staniforth Road and at the time of the accident, the pedestrians had travelled north along Woodbourn Road before using the crossing.

The RAIB said: "The road junction is protected by road traffic lights and tram signals, while signs and road markings inform crossing users of the presence of trams and instruct them to look both ways."

It said people approaching the crossing from Woodbourn Road were separated from the tramway by a fence which was about 145ft (44m) long.

The RAIB said its findings, which would be published at the end of its investigation, would include any recommendations to improve safety.

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