Media centre

Wednesday 15 Aug 2018

Changes to footpath closure as monitoring work continues

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Network Rail is advising of changes to a temporary footpath closure as they continue work to monitor ground movement.

Currently, the footpath which runs between Hessle and North Ferriby, is closed Monday to Friday to allow Network Rail engineers to install monitoring equipment after a crack was found next to the railway.

To make sure trains can continue to run safely, Network Rail engineers need to carry out further investigation and monitoring work. To allow them to do this, the footpath will also be closed on weekends from Saturday, 1 September. The period of closure has also been extended.

Network Rail is reminding people of the importance of obeying the closure after there were multiple instances of people climbing over the barriers to use the footpath, including once instance when someone walked along the railway lines. Trespassing on the railway is incredibly dangerous and can have life-changing and devastating consequences.

Rob McIntosh, Route Managing Director at Network Rail, said: “We’d like to apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced by this closure. We appreciate that this is a popular walk amongst locals and tourists and we have tried to keep disruption to a minimum through keeping the path open at weekends.

“Unfortunately, this approach is no longer possible as additional investigation work is needed, which also means the length of the closure has been extended. Safety is our top priority and this work is necessary and needs to be done to make sure that we can continue to run trains safely.”

An East Riding of Yorkshire Council spokesperson said : "We understand that visitors may be disappointed that this popular footpath is closed for essential work. However, we would like to remind people that both the Humber Bridge Country Park and Riverside Walkway are open as usual for visitors to enjoy. Visitors can travel from Hessle to North Ferriby on foot or via train or bus. "Walkers taking on the Yorkshire Wolds Way are advised to catch a train and begin their challenge at North Ferriby and to return to complete the first 'leg' another time."

ENDS