Crossing the line..
Walkway to shut over photo fears
A LEVEL crossing where people often pose for photos on the track is to be shut amid fears someone will be killed or seriously injured.
Network Rail took the decision after releasing a series of pictures including one of a mum taking snaps of her children sitting on the lines.
The level crossing is at the popular tourist village of Matlock Bath, Derbys, where around 30 trains a day pass.
Network Rail community safety manager Vicki Beadle said: “Time and time again we see people with a blatant disregard for safety at this level crossing.
“The footage is shocking and people need to realise this type of complacent attitude is incredibly dangerous. We’ve seen adults with children taking selfies, people walking down the tracks and young people using the crossing with their eyes glued to their mobile phones.
“The crossing will close later this year, and shows just how seriously we take incidents of misuse at level crossings.”
Network Rail operations risk adviser Martin Brown added: “Level crossings in rural, picturesque settings such as Matlock may look good for a photo but the railway is not a playground.
“Trains can come from either direction at any time and being distracted while using the crossing increases the risk of an incident.”