Leeds city leaders want drivers to report blocked railroad crossings

LEEDS, Ala. (WBMA) — A Norfolk Southern train blocked a railroad crossing on Henry Ellen Road in Leeds from Thursday to Monday.

People living nearby said this happens four to five times a month and when it does it takes them an extra ten minutes to get to church or visit their neighbors. Those like Donna Williams in the area said there's a bigger problem.

"There's elderly people who live over the track. If they dialed 911 the paramedics or fire department can't get to them, the police can't without going about two miles out of the way. Like we say 'every second counts,'" she said.

Margaret Whiteside-Ousley lives across from the crossing. She wants to make sure she can help her neighbors in their time of need.

See Also: Leeds Community feels trapped by parked trains

"If Ms. Strickland right here across the track has got a cold or something and she calls me and says, 'Margaret, can you run to the store and get me a bottle of Nyquil or something because I don't feel too good,' and I have to tell her, 'yes ma'am its gonna take me about 20 minutes.' It shouldn't take me twenty minutes when the store is right there, and her house is right there," said Whiteside-Ousley.

Leeds Fire Chief Charles Parsons stands with the people he serves.

"It causes about a five, six, seven, eight more-minute response if we go to that crossing and there's a train sitting there, and we didn't know it. Then we have to turn around and it really delays us to get to the other side of that crossing to render aid to people," he said.

See Also: I-Team questions railroad companies about growing number of stalled trains at crossings

City of Leeds Pro Tem Mayor and Councilman Kenneth Washington said he's done everything he knows to do to help.

"Right now, we haven't been able to do anything. Only thing we can do is call the train company and let them know be advised we have a train on the track," he said.

During the city council meeting on Monday, leaders urged people to report blocked crossings when you see them.

You can do that on the federal railroad administration's website.

This most recent blocked train crossing falls under Congressman Gary Palmar's district.

I have reached out to his office to learn more on how he can help in Washington.

I have also reached out to Norfolk Southern for a response to stopping blocked crossings in the Greater Birmingham area.

Congresswoman Terri Sewell is working to clear up blocked crossings in her district. In October, Sewell welcomed Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose to Alabama to meet with local officials and explore solutions to the blocked railroad crossings impacting communities in the 7th Congressional District.

See Also: Federal leader comes to Birmingham seeking solutions to trains stopping on tracks

I followed up on where those conversations stand today.

A representative from her office sent us a statement that said, "our office has remained in close contact with Norfolk Southern and the City of Birmingham, and a comprehensive plan is in the works to mitigate blocked railroad crossings. There is still much work to be done, but we are confident in the progress that is being made. Congresswoman Sewell continues to believe that we must hold railroad companies accountable for these blockages."