A TRAIN on the York to Scarborough railway line had a near-miss with a car at a level crossing last month, it has emerged.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch says the incident happened at Plainmoor ‘User Worked Crossing’, between York and Malton, at about 9.37am on July 7.

It said in a report published online that the driver of a York to Scarborough train had reported a near-miss with a road vehicle at the crossing, which is situated near Barton-le-Willows.

“The car driver had previously telephoned the signaller and obtained permission to cross,” it said.

“We have undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding this incident.”

It said such examinations might mean inspectors being deployed to the scene, or to another location such as a depot, and it could also involve further office-based inquiries, often involving review of electronic data.

“The purpose of a preliminary examination is to gather sufficient information and evidence to enable us to make an informed decision on whether or not to conduct a full investigation of the accident or incident,” it said.

“Having assessed the evidence which has been gathered to date, we have decided to publish a safety digest.

“When it is clear that the safety learning from an event has been identified by a previous investigation, relates to compliance with existing rules, or is local in nature, we may choose to publish a safety digest, rather than carry out a full investigation.”

It said the safety digest would be made available on its website in the next few weeks.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said it took safety incidents such as the incident at the level crossing extremely seriously.

“We have worked closely with the Accident Investigation Branch on their preliminary examination of the incident,” she said.

A spokeswoman for TransPennine Express said it could confirm that a near miss involving one of its trains occurred at Plainmoor User Worked Crossing on July 7.

“We have provided all available information to assist the investigation carried out by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch,” she added.