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Monday 31 Jul 2017

Network Rail revise proposals to improve safety following public consultation

Region & Route:

| Eastern

After carefully considering the very constructive feedback during the public consultation Network Rail has revised its proposals to improve safety at the Nature Reserve crossing in Attenborough.

The decision comes following a public consultation which was held earlier in the year over the future of three level crossings in the area: Barratt Lane No. 1, Long Lane and Nature Reserve. Network Rail received over 1000 responses and the feedback showed that the majority of residents wished to keep access to the railway via the level crossing.  

The revised proposal will see Miniature Stop Lights (MSLs), which are linked to the signalling system, installed at the location giving users a positive indication of trains on the line. The newly installed technology will provide a clear message to users about when it is safe to cross. When the green light is lit up, users can cross the railway and when the red light is lit, users must wait at the crossing until the light turns green.

Network Rail will also still pursue a longer term strategy of placing a bridge at the location and closure of Long Lane and Barratt Lane No.1.

Rob McIntosh, managing director for the London North Eastern and East Midlands route, for Network Rail, said: “With the huge increases in rail traffic we are investing more than £100million across Britain to improve safety at level crossings.  No modern railway would have level crossings as people simply should never have to be on the tracks as this presents a huge safety risk for all concerned.

“Nature Reserve level crossing is one of the highest risk crossings in the UK due to the sheer volume of people who use it every day. The installation of MSLs will allow users with a safer path across the railway, however, the safest level crossing is a closed one and we will continue to explore options to install a bridge at the crossing, which will also include public consultation.

“This crossing lies on the Midland Main Line, a route which has a high number of passenger services. Making sure that we provide safe access across the railway, as well as passengers with the services they require means that we can provide a network which meets the needs of the economies and communities our railway serves.”

Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry said: “This is definitely a step in the right direction; there have been two deaths on Attenborough’s crossings since the consultation and safety must be the top priority.  The solution that everyone can get behind is a proper bridge with access for pedestrians, cyclists and everyone else who currently uses the crossings.”

ENDS