Rail staff monitor ‘high risk’ crossing to deter misuse
A CONTROVERSIAL level crossing – which has claimed three lives – is being monitored to deter people from misusing it.
Network Rail staff are now stationed at Fisherman’s Crossing in Formby near Freshfield Station.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Network Rail is currently running a safety campaign at Fisherman’s crossing.
“Staff are on site to deter misuse and to remind people how to use the crossing safely. This is being backed up by safety awareness days at the crossing in conjunction with Merseyrail and the British Transport Police.”
Since 2014, the crossing has claimed the lives of three people, the most recent in February this year.
It has previously been graded as “high risk” by Network Rail, which applied to build a footbridge and close the level crossing because a bend in the track meant people crossing only had eight seconds to react to a train travelling at 60mph.
Student Yasmin Jones, 22, was killed there in 2014, when she was walking dogs in the nearby woods with two friends.
The former John Moores drama graduate died when she was hit by a train after running onto the track to save one of the dogs.
MP Bill Esterson backed the plans by Network Rail for a bridge, which were put forward last year, but they were withdrawn, after planning bosses at Sefton Council said that it would be difficult for cyclists to use and would not be suitable for people with mobility issues.
Since the decision, there have been two further deaths at the crossing, a 42-year-old man in February this year and Phillip Andrew Barber, 54, who died there in January last year.