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Wednesday 24 Jun 2026

Closure of Vale of Glamorgan footpath level crossing to protect public safety

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

Network Rail has taken the difficult but necessary decision to close Brookside level crossing in Dinas Powys, following a recent safety assessment which identified an increased level of risk to users.

Brookside level crossing will close to all users from Friday 26 June as an emergency measure to protect public safety while longer-term options are considered.

Brookside is a footpath level crossing on the Vale of Glamorgan line, connecting Brookside and Castle Close in the village of Dinas Powys. It is located on a particularly busy section of railway, with around 150 trains passing through the area each day and approximately 217 people using the crossing daily.

Trains would normally travel through the area at speeds of up to 50mph. However, following a recent safety assessment, a temporary 10mph speed restriction was introduced as an immediate measure to reduce risk and ensure trains can continue to operate safely.

While the reduced line speed is an important safety measure, it is having a noticeable impact on the local community. Trains are passing more slowly and spending longer in the area, which can increase noise levels and affect nearby homes.

Significant increase in risk to public safety

Further safety assessments have identified a significant change in the risk profile at Brookside level crossing with an increasing number of older people and users with mobility difficulties using the crossing - some of whom may require significantly more time to cross the railway safely than is currently available.

More than 56% of crossing users at this location are considered vulnerable - including older people, young families with pushchairs and those with reduced mobility - all of whom can face additional challenges when crossing the railway safely.

Given the volume of both rail and pedestrian traffic, Brookside is considered a high-risk crossing, prompting the need for immediate action to protect public safety.

What happens next?

Brookside footpath level crossing will close to all users from Friday 26 June.

Network Rail will install secure fencing at the crossing entrances, alongside clear signage advising that the crossing is closed, as an immediate measure to protect public safety.

During the closure, members of the public can use alternative crossing points, including:

• Murch Lane road bridge
• Stepped footbridge at Eastbrook station

The crossing will remain closed while Network Rail explores longer-term options at this location. This process will include ongoing engagement with local stakeholders, community representatives and accessibility groups to help inform future decisions and ensure any solution delivers the highest possible standards of safety for crossing users and the wider railway.

Nick Millington, Route Director at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: "Safety is always our number one priority and, following a recent assessment of Brookside level crossing, in Dinas Powys, we've identified a level of risk that requires immediate action.

"We appreciate that closing the crossing will be inconvenient for some people and this was not a decision we took lightly. However, given the number of trains using the route and the risks identified, we believe closure is the safest course of action while we explore longer-term solutions.

"We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding while these arrangements are in place, and we will provide further updates as soon as possible.”