A footpath level crossing at Burton Joyce in Nottinghamshire has been closed temporarily after numerous incidents of misuse.
In the last two years, there have been 16 near-miss incidents at the Chestnut Grove crossing on the line between Nottingham and Newark.
Trains can travel on the section of line at speeds of up to 60mph and these 16 incidents could have had fatal or life-changing consequences.
Another incident last weekend meant that Network Rail took the decision to close the crossing temporarily.
Improvement works had already been planned for the crossing this summer. Wicket gates will be installed nearer to the line, which will make it easier for people to decide if it is safe to cross.
The surface of the crossing will also be improved along with the installation of CCTV, which will help monitor the crossing to see if further action is needed.
Vinny Briggs, Route Level Crossing Manager, said: “Safety is our main priority and over the last few years we’ve worked to balance this with the needs of the community in Burton Joyce. We’ve seen too many incidents at Chestnut Grove footpath level crossing where people have misjudged or misused it and we have taken the decision to close it.”
“It’s never safe to hang around on a level crossing or trespass on the tracks. Some people don’t seem to realise just how much danger they are putting themselves in.”
“Once the level crossing reopens, it is vital that people concentrate, pay attention to the warning signs and cross safely and directly.”
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Responses
Why risk it. I think that people like these girls should be fined and banned. Makes my blood boil hear about trespassing all the time.
I live near BJ and know this crossing. It is next to a pub and there are others close by in both directions including one which is an underpass. It should be closed permanently as after all they only lead to a riverside walk. Network Rail’s proposed expenditure is unnecessary.
Has anybody given consideration as to how many of the incidents are staged?
Deary, Deary ME… Judging by what I’ve just seen from that SHOCKING latest photo/footage… What those people did was (and I repeat) still is, Very, Very DANGEROUS;
One of these days, crossings like the one (Chestnut Grove, Nottinghamshire) are going to end up being replaced by much safer footbridges… In-fact, I for one think it might be much safer, if this crossing got replaced by a footbridge… Only A Suggestion.
NO Matter How Much it can always take in Raising Awareness of the Dangers of Foolish Misuse on Track Crossings… This Issue may highly likely occur over and over again, behind our backs…
WHY, Oh WHY Can’t such foolishly insensitive people take this seriously and keep true to life-saving & train track respecting rules for (more than) once in their innocent lives ?
Answer to your last sentence. Because they think only of themselves in some kind of snowflake world where everything stops for them. Unfortunately this is tragically untrue.