A RAIL crossing at Sandy Lane in Yarnton that has repeatedly broken down is to be assessed as part of a Government safety review.

The announcement has been welcomed by campaigners who have raised concerns repeatedly since a pensioner was killed by a freight train earlier this year.

The House of Commons transport select committee has agreed to hold an investigation into the safety of the UK’s 8,000 level crossings.

It follows a suggestion by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) as well as letters from the public. and will look at whether it needs to change Government policy to boost safety.

The inquiry, set to take about a year, is “long overdue” according to Yarnton resident and Kidlington North councillor Alaric Rose.

Mr Rose and members of Yarnton Parish Council have been pushing Network Rail to solve the repeated faults at Sandy Lane and Yarnton Lane level crossings.

Thomas Pizzey, 85, was killed when the car he was in was struck by a Freightliner train at the Sandy Lane crossing in Yarnton, on Wednesday, January 2.

The Oxford Mail revealed that the level crossing malfunctioned 21 times last year.

Network Rail had said the barrier was in “full working order” at the time of Mr Pizzey’s death.

But when we contacted it after questions from residents it admitted there had been faults.

After repeated requests for more information, the company confirmed the bridge had stopped working 21 times in 2012 – or around once a fortnight.

Mr Rose said: “I am very glad to hear the Government will step in to look at this.

“We have had several meetings with Network Rail and have been pushing them to resolve the issues at Sandy Lane.

“There is always an issue of who is holding Network Rail to account so I am glad to hear this.

“Some of the equipment there is more than 50 years old.

“You wouldn’t have technology that old in your home or your car and expect it to be safe, so why at the level crossing?”

Network Rail said it plans to invest in new technology, better warning lights and new level crossing managers.

Spokeswoman Sam Kelly said: “Network Rail has a national £130m investment programme to improve level crossing safety.

“This includes replacing footpath crossings with footbridges, installing warning lights as an additional safety measure at footpath crossings, and investing in new technology including new cost effective barriers to open crossings such as Shiplake.”

British Transport Police in Oxford also welcomed the move.

A spokesman said: “Level crossing misuse remains an issue and dedicated level crossing camera enforcement vans in operation across the country are proving a real asset in promoting the safe use of crossings, which is a priority for the transport police and its rail industry partners.

“Incredibly some people still put their lives on the line by ignoring warning sirens and trying to accelerate to beat the barrier.

“Officers will continue to educate communities on a local level about the dangers of misusing crossings.”

Mr Pizzey’s death is still under investigation.