Media centre

Friday 3 Feb 2017

New Maidstone railway footbridge to improve safety and accessibility

Region & Route:

| Southern

A new accessible footbridge opening later this month over the railway in Tovil, Maidstone will make crossing the tracks safer and easier for local people and means an outdated footpath level crossing can be closed for good.

The crossing, between Maidstone West and East Farleigh, is used by around 350 pedestrians and cyclists each day and is close to the footbridge over the River Medway between Bower Lane and the Boatyard. Crossing the railway currently involves either an inaccessible steel framed footbridge over the tracks or a footpath level crossing for those unable to use the stairs.

The new ramped footbridge will remove the risks associated with the footpath level crossing and provide a modern, safe and fully accessible route across the tracks.  When the new footbridge is complete the footpath level crossing – which has been earmarked for closure for safety reasons – will permanently close.

Work on the new footbridge will take place over a single weekend, from the evening of Friday, 24 February until the morning of Monday 27 February when it will open for the public to use.

Mike Smith, route enhancement manger, Network Rail, said: “Our Railway Upgrade Plan is all about providing a safer and more reliable railway fit for the 21^st century. Footpath level crossings like the one at Tovil are a relic of the past and no longer fit for a busy, modern rail network.  The new ramped footbridge will make crossing the railway safer and easier for everyone, including those with mobility issues. I would like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding while we carry out this important upgrade.”

While work is taking place the crossing will close to ensure the safety of workers and the public.  Pedestrians will need to cross the railway using an alternative route.

The bridge was made by Ashford based footbridge fabricator Nusteel Structures. All the steel used in construction has been sourced within the UK.

Notes:

• There are more than 6,000 level crossings on the rail network in Britain. Although, it is one of the safest rail networks in Europe, accidents and near misses with trains still occur.
• Network Rail has closed more than 1,000 level crossings as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a safer railway. Many of these have been replaced with bridges and others diverted onto different routes.
• Network Rail is investing more than £100m as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan to improve level crossing safety across the nation. Network Rail is also investing in a wide-ranging safety awareness programme, working with national and local organisations, to make using level crossings safer and to help people understand how to use them correctly.