Railway crossing closed after teens seen sitting on track

SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOLLOWING NUMBER OF ‘NEAR MISSES’

THIS shocking image shows a group of teenagers sitting on a railway crossing which has had to be closed temporarily.

In the past two years, Network Rail said there had been more than 16 “near-miss incidents” which “could have resulted in fatal or lifechanging consequences” on the Chestnut Grove footpath crossing in Burton Joyce.

The company said that it has made the decision to request the emergency closure of the crossing.

Passenger and freight trains travel on the line near Nottingham at speeds of up to 60mph.

Staff from the company’s community safety team have visited schools to raise awareness of the safe use of level crossings.

But now officials will install gates closer to the railway. CCTV will also be installed, and the surface improved. Once this work is complete, the crossing is expected to reopen and it will be monitored to find out whether 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. “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.” Network Rail had been planning to carry out work this summer to improve safety.

Some people don’t seem to realise just how much danger they are putting themselves in

Vinny Briggs