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Monday 28 Jan 2013

New footbridge opens at Thorne South

Region & Route:

Passengers using Thorne South station will find a new footbridge linking the platforms this morning (Mon 28 Jan). The bridge has been installed this weekend by Network Rail to reduce the risk to pedestrians by fully separating them from trains.

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “We became concerned about misuse of the level crossing at Thorne South station after reports that pedestrians had been involved with near misses.

“Our team was actually on site with staff from Northern Rail and South Yourkshire PTE, looking at options for a permanent bridge on 8 January when a lady was struck by a train when using the crossing. We took the decision that we needed to take swift action and this footbridge has been installed as a temporary measure. We are in discussions with the local authority to design and install a fully accessible, permanent structure as quickly as possible.”

Richard Allan, Area Director at Northern Rail has welcomed the footbridge: “Thanks to a close working relationship with both Network Rail and South Yorkshire PTE, we’ve been able to identify and implement this project together. We’ve also been able put in place additional support at Thorne North station until Thorne South is fully accessible for all our passengers.”

The temporary structure is a stepped footbridge. Fully accessible access has been transferred to Thorne North station until a permanent structure is installed at Thorne South. Northern Rail is providing additional staff at Thorne North to assist passengers.

Leaflets are being provided to users explaining the arrangements and new signage has been installed.

Passengers who cannot use steps and require ramped access should travel from Thorne North station. The Doncaster bound platform is fully accessible with ramps between the car park and the platform.

Passengers returning from Doncaster you can either travel to Thorne South and use the ramp from platform 1 (the Scunthorpe bound platform) or travel back to Thorne North where there is a foot crossing controlled by Northern Rail staff.