Media centre

Friday 9 Nov 2012

Branston level crossing public events – have your say

Region & Route:

Network Rail is inviting public comments on plans to reduce risk to the public at the site of Warren Lane crossing in Branston.

This level crossing ranked amongst the worst on the East Midlands route for misuse and was closed on Friday 31 August this year following the opening of a temporary footbridge. The footbridge will be removed at Christmas but Network Rail remains committed to finding a suitable long-term solution for the site.

Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, explained: “We have seen one fatality and 12 near misses at this crossing since 2005. We simply cannot allow the risk posed by misuse to remain.”

“We recognise that this is a widely used route – particularly by school children. Our plan for a footbridge recognises the need to give safe access over the railway. We remain fully committed to working with the community to find a solution that balances the requirements of neighbours who may find a structure obtrusive and users whose mobility is impaired. We have arranged public events for local people to have their say before we submit a planning application.”

The public exhibitions will be held on Friday 16 November 4-8pm and Saturday 17 November 10am-5pm both at the Riverside Hotel, Branston.