Monday 14 Aug 2017
New railway footbridge over Brighton Main Line in Salfords, Surrey, to improve safety for pedestrians
- Region & Route:
- | Southern
Crossing the busy Brighton Main Line at Dean Farm, near Salfords, is soon to be much safer for pedestrians as Network Rail begins work to build a new footbridge and remove the outdated footpath level crossing currently in use.
Driver's view of approaching the crossing, heading northbound towards London.
The level crossing provides a route across the railway from Copsleigh Avenue near Salfords Primary School. It is one of few remaining footpath crossings on the four-track section of the Brighton Main Line, where around 700 trains pass through every day at speeds of up to 90mph.
Work has started at the site in preparation for installation of the new footbridge this Christmas.
Mike Smith, route enhancement manager, Network Rail, said: “Level crossings were built in the Victorian era and are not suitable for the modern network where trains are quieter, faster and more frequent. At Dean Farm, around 700 trains travelling at speeds up to 90mph pass over the crossing each day. The new footbridge will remove the risk associated with the footpath crossing and provide people with a safe route across the railway.
“To keep our staff and the public safe we need to install the bridge over Christmas when trains aren’t running. I would like to thank local residents for their patience and co-operation while we undertake this important work.”
Network Rail will be writing to local residents to keep regular update them up to date on the work. In the meantime, if you have any questions please visit www.networkrail.co.uk or telephone our 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41.
Notes to Editors
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.
- Network Rail’s South East route aims to reduce level crossing risk on the route by 30% before 2019. This involves a major programme of crossing closures and upgrades, as well as education programmes.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
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Network Rail press office - Chris Denham
Senior media relations manager
020 3357 7969
07515 626530
chris.denham@networkrail.co.uk
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