Media centre

Friday 5 Jun 2026

Farnborough North marks a year of safety and accessibility improvements

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

Network Rail, Great Western Railway (GWR) and the Farnborough community came together to commemorate a year since Farnborough North station became step free, coupled with the closure of one of the country’s most dangerous level crossings.

New lifts and a footbridge were installed to allow full access to the station and surrounding roads. Network Rail worked closely with GWR to deliver the project.

The improvements, worth £8.4million, have made accessing the station much safer. The new accessible footbridge at Farnborough North station opened simultaneously with the closure of the adjacent level crossing to pedestrians. The footbridge is fully accessible with lifts to both platforms and provides a safe and accessible way for pedestrians to cross the tracks as well as reducing the risk associated with level crossings.

For the last few years of its use, Farnborough North level crossing was one of only three crossings in the country that was so dangerous it had to be staffed while trains were running to keep people safe. The crossing was also the only access from platform to platform and therefore meant that all train users, including a large volume of school children and college students, had to use it daily.

Sam Pead, Route Level Crossing Manager for Network Rail, said: “It has been a year since we were able to close one of the most dangerous level crossings in the country at Farnborough North. At the same time, the station has become more accessible, providing additional benefits for our passengers. Level crossings require your complete attention, but complacency and distractions are putting lives in danger and causing hundreds of near misses each year. Simple actions like checking a phone or assuming the tracks are clear can lead to deadly consequences. It's vital to always stop, look, listen, and follow the signals. Waiting a few minutes is far safer than risking your life.”

GWR Regional Development Manager Zach Bailey said: "A year on, the transformation at Farnborough North is clear, a station that is safer, more accessible and more welcoming for everyone who uses it. We are pleased to have collaborated with Network Rail and the Farnborough Street Residents Association to deliver a station that the whole community can use. Lucy's courage in sharing her story is an important reminder of why safety on the railways must never be taken for granted."

Isayas Tecleberhan, Regional Director for Rail, Octavius Infrastructure said “Helping make the railway safer and more accessible is key to Octavius. Farnborough North is the latest of more than 30 accessibility schemes successfully completed, making us among the UK’s most experienced AfA delivery partners. We would like to thank Network Rail for the opportunity to continue this successful partnership at Farnborough North.” 

Incidents at level crossings can result in serious or life-altering consequences. At the age of 17, Lucy Ruck experienced a railway accident at Farnborough North level crossing, which led to the loss of her leg. Thirty years later, Ms. Ruck has utilised her experience to advocate for an accessible footbridge at the same station and to emphasise the importance of safety at level crossings, thereby raising awareness and promoting the prevention of similar incidents.

In April, train operators, Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) joined forces to launch No Second Chances - the first ever industry-wide level crossing safety campaign - following recent tragic incidents at level crossings. The campaign comes as the rail industry moves towards a unified Great British Railways.

The campaign - centred around a series of uncompromising 20‑second films - focuses on the deadly consequences of distraction at level crossings.

Lucy said: “A single quick decision can change your life forever. I learned this first-hand after my accident. I wasn’t intentionally reckless or rushing, but because I used the station daily and felt familiar with it, I got comfortable and stopped seeing the dangers. I followed the crowd with the assumption that the route was safe. Please remember, no appointment or destination is worth risking your safety. Always check carefully before crossing and never assume it’s safe.”