Network Rail has been fined £356,250 and ordered to pay costs of £19,485 following a prosecution brought by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) for breaches of health and safety law which led to the death of Julia Canning at the Fairfield footpath and bridle way crossing at Little Bedwyn, near Marlborough in 2009.

Today’s sentencing at Southampton Crown Court follows an extensive ORR investigation into the death of mother-of-three Mrs Canning, who was struck while walking her two dogs by the First Great Western 17:11 service travelling from Newbury to Bedwyn on May 6 2009.

The criminal charge results from Network Rail's failure to act on substantial evidence that pedestrians using the crossing had insufficient sight of approaching trains. Pedestrians were therefore exposed to an increased safety risk when using the crossing.

ORR’s deputy director of railway safety Tom Wake said: “Today’s sentencing at Southampton Crown Court brings to a close the regulator’s prosecution of Network Rail for causing the devastating and avoidable death of Mrs Julia Canning, who was struck by a train at Fairfield level crossing, near Little Bedwyn, Wiltshire, in May 2009. My thoughts are with Mrs Canning’s family.

“ORR’s investigation found extensive evidence showing that Network Rail knew that the crossing was unsafe for pedestrians. Not acting to minimise the known risks was a serious failing on Network Rail’s behalf. “We recognise that Network Rail has now made a number of improvements at this crossing, making it safer for pedestrians. Safety is the regulator’s top priority, and we continue to push Network Rail and the industry to deliver safety improvements at all level crossings.”

At the time of the 2010 inquest into the death of 55-year-old Mrs Canning, her brother Edward Bye, a television producer married to comedienne Ruby Wax, said: "Julie died a year ago and she is still very much missed by her family and friends.

"She was a huge influence in the community and her death has shaken us to the core."