Media centre

Tuesday 8 Sep 2015

Rail safety improves in North Wales as Johnstown level crossing is closed

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

A level crossing near Wrexham has been officially closed as part of Network Rail’s commitment to improving safety on the railway.

Permanently closing the level crossing, at Bangor Road, Johnstown, reduces the risk to people who cross the railway in the area. 

A footbridge located 180 metres from the level crossing allows pedestrians to cross the railway safely. Network Rail has worked with Wrexham Borough County Council to make improvements to the appearance of the footbridge and make it safer to use.

Billy Davies, level crossing manager for Network Rail Wales, said: “Reducing the number of level crossings across Wales is a major priority to make our railway safer.

“By closing Johnstown crossing, we can reduce the risk to people who cross the railway at this location every day.

“Closing a level crossing is not a straightforward process and we are grateful for the support of Wrexham County Borough Council and the neighbouring community in helping us to close this crossing.”

Network Rail’s level crossing team has installed fencing around the crossing, which is near the Hafod Woodland, as a safety measure.

Nearby Felin Puleston level crossing was closed in March 2015, Network Rail diverted the public footpath under an existing railway bridge to give pedestrians safer access to cross the railway. Network Rail has worked closely with Wrexham County Borough Council to provide pedestrians with safer alternative ways to cross the railway when a level crossing is closed. 

Members of the public are urged to report any near-misses or issues with level crossings to Network Rail’s helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• There are approximately 6,100 level crossings in Britain. Level crossings were built with the Victorian railway more than 100 years ago when there were far fewer trains, travelling at slower speeds and fewer people and road traffic. If the railway were being built today, level crossings would not be used.
• There are many different types of crossings, all with different safety measures in place from signs, to barriers and klaxons. For more information, please see our website: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossings/types-of-level-crossing/.
• Network Rail is investing £100m in the next four years to reduce risk at level crossings and improve safety. The ongoing programme of activity includes:
  • Network Rail’s dedicated community safety team which aims to reduce railway crime.
  • Level crossing closure programme which has seen more than 950 closed over the past six years.
  • Investment in upgrading and improving level crossings.
  • Mobile camera enforcement vans.
  • Developing better and cost-effective ways of detecting and recording level crossings misuse.