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Friday 2 May 2014

Plans to replace King’s Mill level crossing take major step forward

Region & Route:

Funding has been secured to replace the King’s Mill level crossing with a bridge, meaning a safer crossing for all that use it in the future

The level crossing, which is near the King’s Mill Reservoir in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, is a priority closure for Network Rail following a tragic accident on 2 May 2012, when Phil Dawn was struck by a train.

Network Rail’s level crossings team has worked with Mr Dawn’s family and the local authorities to develop plans to replace the crossing with a pedestrian and bridleway bridge as soon as it is possible to do so.

With confirmation that funds to close King’s Mill crossing are available from Network Rail’s national level crossing programme, the next step is to develop detailed plans which will be submitted to the local planning authorities.

Tracy Hart, Mr Dawn’s sister, has been campaigning for the crossing to be closed since the accident. Tracy said: "I am delighted that Network Rail has agreed to fund a bridge and to provide a memorial in memory of my dear brother Phil who was so tragically killed on the level crossing.

“We still have a number of legal issues to overcome before the bridge is in place and I will be continuing my campaign until that day arrives. With this in mind I would ask the public to rally around us and sign the petition online at change.org, using the search term ‘Kings Mill crossing’.

“The family are grateful for all the help and support they have received and hope that this will continue until this crossing is finally made safe.”

Members of the public are also urged to report any near-misses or issues with level crossings to Network Rail’s helpline on 08457 11 41 41.

Phil Verster, Route Managing Director, said: “I’d like to thank Tracy and her family for their continued support with this project. This is a major step forward in our plans to close King’s Mill level crossing. We will submit a planning application to start the project as soon as possible.

“Closing and improving level crossings on our route is a major priority to make our railway safer. We’ll work closely with the local councils, landowners and nearby residents to develop and implement plans as quickly as possible.”

Network Rail is also working with Tracy on a permanent memorial to Mr Dawn, to be placed at the crossing site.

The closure of King’s Mill crossing is part of Network Rail’s national programme to invest £100m over the next five years to close 500 level crossings, and reduce the risk they pose to the network by a further 25%. This will build on the £130m invested by Network Rail since 2010 which has helped to close almost 800 level crossings across Britain.