Motorists fined for ignoring Wem crossing lights

Motorists who ignored flashing warning lights and alarms and drove across a notorious level crossing in north Shropshire have been fined and had penalty points put on their driving licences.

Cases against two drivers involving Wem level crossing were heard at Market Drayton Magistrates' Court yesterday.

They are the latest drivers to face court punishment over misuse of the crossing, which Network Rail has identified as the sixth most abused in Britain.

Kate Dennett, of Aston Street, Wem, admitted failing to comply with flashing light signals at the crossing.

The court heard the 29-year-old drove a Ford Transit van across the tracks on May 14 at about 7.25am. She offered no mitigation and the case was heard in her absence.

Magistrates fined her £115 and ordered her to pay a £15 victim surcharge. Her driving licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

Rebekah Millington, of Brown Heath Lane, Loppington, near Wem, also admitted failing to comply with flashing light signals at the crossing. Magistrates were told she drove a Vauxhall Corsa across the level crossing after the warning lights had begun to operate on April 23 at about 5.45pm.

The 18-year-old student was ordered to pay a £35 fine and a £15 victim surcharge. Her driving licence was also endorsed with three points.