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Friday 29 Apr 2016

Community invited to find out more about Millhall Road crossing plans

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail will be hosting an information event on Tuesday, May 10, to give local residents the opportunity to find out more about plans to replace Millhall Road* level crossing with a fully-accessible footbridge.

The project team will be available between 3.30pm and 8:00pm in Crawford Hall, Colquhoun Street, Stirling, to tell residents about the plans and how the project will benefit the local community and improve rail safety.

Network Rail is seeking to replace the existing foot crossing with a fully-accessible pedestrian footbridge before the railway through Stirling is electrified in 2019.

Millhall Road is already Scotland’s highest risk pedestrian level crossing – with one fatal accident and six near misses since 2010 – and faster, quieter electric trains will further increase the safety risk at the crossing.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Level crossings are the biggest external risk to rail safety and a leading cause of fatal accidents on the railway.

“The new footbridge we are proposing will provide a safer way for members of the public to cross the railway while still maintaining public access at the location.

“We’d like to encourage the community to come to the event where they can find out more about our proposals and how the project would be delivered.”

Network Rail investigated a range of options to improve safety at the crossing and a footbridge is the best solution for this location. 

The new fully-accessible footbridge will have ramps with resting points, as well as stairs. The structure will be well lit and all surfaces will made from anti-slip, waterproof materials.

The new bridge will take around nine months to construct and, subject to planning processes, Network Rail would seek to start work in 2017.

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*Also known as St Ninian’s