Media centre

Friday 13 Jan 2017

Local communities informed of two level crossing closures in Aylesbury

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Communities in the Old Stoke Road and Griffin Lane areas of Aylesbury have been informed of the closure of two local level crossings to improve safety.

Network Rail has worked with Buckinghamshire County Council to close the Old Stoke Road and Griffin Lane level crossings after recent near misses and a fatality.

In November 2016 a woman was killed on the Old Stoke Road level crossing and in December a man narrowly avoided certain death after misusing the Griffin lane level crossing. There have been other recorded incidents of misuse at both crossings.

As part of Network Rail's Railway Upgrade Plan, both crossings are now fenced off and leaflets with information about the closure and alternative routes have been provided to local people in the area.

After getting the required permissions from Buckinghamshire County Council, Old Stoke Road has been permanently closed and Network Rail will work with the council to provide safe cycling routes in the affected area. Griffin Lane has been closed until further notice with a review of the closure due to take place in the summer.

Ben Parish, level crossing manager at Network Rail, said: "We are committed to improving the safety at level crossings and the safest crossing is a closed one. At both crossings there have been avoidable incidents which have put people at significant risk and sadly a death which has prompted us to take this action.

“The closures mean a short detour to cross the railway at both locations but the community will be safer as a result which is our number one priority.”

Warren Whyte, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, said: “The safety of the public is our overarching concern and we have worked closely with Network Rail to make these areas safe.”

Network Rail can be reached 24 hours a day via its national helpline on 03457 114 141 or at www.networkrail.co.uk