Wednesday 21 Oct 2009
BRIDGING THE RAILS AT MOORTHORPE AND BOLTON-ON-DEARNE
- Region & Route:
Network Rail is installing new footbridges at two stations in Yorkshire.
Bolton-On-Dearne and Moorthorpe stations both have pedestrian crossings over the tracks to allow passengers to get from one platform to another. While these crossings are safe if used correctly there has been a history of misuse at both stations.
Work began this week and will be completed by March 2010.
Kevin Preece, area general manager for Network Rail, said: “These crossings both have a history of misuse – where pedestrians dash across the tracks while the warning lights are showing. This is obviously incredibly dangerous.”
“The crossings are now being replaced with footbridges which also give full disabled access.”
This work is part of a package of similar measures worth £7.5m at 4 stations (Moorthorpe, Bolton-on-Dearne, Woodlesford, Normanton) and one footpath at Thrislington.
Notes to editors
FACTS ABOUT LEVEL CROSSINGS –
Level crossings are safe if used correctly
95% of accidents at level crossings are caused by misuse or error i.e. ignoring red signals, barriers and klaxons
There are over 7,600 level crossings both on public and private land that cut across the UK railway network, more than 700 of which are in Yorkshire.
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