Media centre

Monday 5 Oct 2015

Residents invited to learn more about plans to replace Chandler’s Ford footpath level crossing

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Network Rail will be holding a drop-in session on Saturday October 10 to show residents plans to replace the Chandler’s Ford footpath level crossing with a stepped footbridge.

Members of the Network Rail team will be on hand to answer questions and update residents on the proposed changes between 1pm and 5pm at the Ritchie Memorial Hall.  There is no need for local residents to book a place and all are welcome.

Although there has never been a fatality at the crossing, it is frequently misused, with an incident occurring as recent as two months ago involving two young girls. In conjunction with other factors such as the number of trains that use the line and the lack of visibility, Network Rail is proposing to close the level crossing.  However Network Rail recognises the importance of the link between Chandler's Ford and Valley Park and so therefore plans to replace the level crossing with a stepped footbridge.  

As part of this project, Network Rail consulted Eastleigh Borough Council, Chandler’s Ford Parish Council, Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council to establish the best alternative for the current level crossing.

Alex Boatfield, Network Rail’s assistant commercial scheme sponsor, said: “Every time a footpath or a road meets the railway, there is a risk and it is our aim to reduce this as much as we can. We have closed more than 900 level crossings in the last five years and we know the safest level crossing is a closed one.

"We believe the new footbridge offers the safest option for the community to cross the railway. We look forward to sharing our plans with the community and to answer any questions they may have."

For further information about the project, residents can contact Network Rail’s 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• The drop-in session will take place on from 1-5 pm at the Ritchie Memorial Hall, Community Centre, Hursley Road, Chandlers Ford, SO53 2FT
• 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. 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 900 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