Media centre

Thursday 8 Dec 2016

Safety boost for Oxford residents as new footbridge opens as part of Railway Upgrade Plan

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Oxford residents will be safer and school children will benefit from a bigger playground thanks to a new footbridge installed over the railway by Network Rail.

Opened on Monday (5 December), the new 80-tonne bridge spans 40 metres over the railway. It replaces a pedestrian level crossing meaning people no longer need to walk across the tracks at Aristotle Lane, Oxford.

The upgrade to the crossing underlines Network Rail’s commitment to improving safety on the railway, which has already seen more than 1,000 level crossings closed on Britain’s rail network.

The new footbridge also helped to free up space for St Phillip & St James' Primary School to extend their recreation facilities. Pupils from the school were present to celebrate the opening of the new bridge, complete with festive attire.  

Rob Mashford, Network Rail’s programme manager, said: “The opening of this footbridge and the subsequent closure of the pedestrian level crossing is another positive step in our campaign to improve safety across the country’s rail network.

“We have the safest railway in Europe, and we are committed to improving the safety of the railway even further as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.

“I would like to thank residents for their patience as this footbridge was constructed, and I would also like to thank the pupils of St Phillip & St James' School for being here to officially open it.”

Oxfordshire County Councillor Jean Fooks, said: “I want to say how wonderful it is to see the new footbridge open and I’m pleased to see the school getting some land to extend their playground. I thank Network Rail very, very much for finally making this happen.”

ENDS