Media centre

Monday 21 Nov 2016

Safety concerns trigger immediate closure of Stone station footpath level crossing

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Network Rail has closed the footpath level crossing at Stone station after repeated incidents of dangerous misuse were revealed.

A nine-day study of the Stone station footpath crossing, in October, recorded 33 misuse incidents, including:

- Large groups of people crossing the railway at once and not looking or listening for trains
- Schoolchildren wearing headphones and not concentrating as they cross the railway
- Children standing on the crossing and not crossing safely and quickly
- Adults running across the railway and not allowing enough time to cross correctly
- Adults and children looking at mobile phones as they cross the railway

An average of 64 people a day used the crossing, up from 20 per day during a nine-day study in May 2015. There has also been an increase in the number of vulnerable users, the study found.

To ensure the safety of local people the crossing has been closed with immediate effect. 

The closure means a short diversion will be in place via Chestnut Grove and Mount Road / Mount Crescent, crossing the railway at the road barrier level crossing.

Mark Killick, area director for Network Rail, said: “We have closed this crossing for the safety of local people based on the evidence we have gathered. We are committed to improving safety at level crossings.”

To inform local people of the closure and the reasons behind it, Network Rail were today at the crossing to speak with crossing users and hand out leaflets.
 
For further information contact Network Rail’s national helpline on 03457 114 141.