LOCAL PEOPLE CALL FOR CLOSURE OF DANGEROUS RAIL CROSSING (Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats)

Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats <info@saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk>

LOCAL PEOPLE CALL FOR CLOSURE OF DANGEROUS RAIL CROSSING

November 30, 2011 10:05 PM

People in Old Mead Road, between Henham and Elsenham, have been calling for the closure of a dangerous pedestrian rail crossing. The call comes just days after it was reported that the Office for Rail Regulation intends to prosecute Network Rail for health and safety failings in relation to the tragic death of two young girls, Charlotte Thompson and Olivia Bazlington in December 2005, at the level crossing at Elsenham railway station, less than a mile south of the crossing on Old Mead Road. Leading the calls are local District Councillors Elizabeth Parr and David Morson.

Elizabeth said "I welcome the decision by the Office for Rail Regulation to ensure accountability for the sad deaths of Olivia and Charlie almost six years ago. The girls were fellow pupils at Newport Free Grammar School and I remember how much their deaths rocked the whole school. It is therefore vital that we learn from this tragedy and ensure that all level crossings are as safe as possible. Unfortunately, the one on Old Mead Road remains particularly unsafe."

"Currently, the crossing has to be maintained because there is a public footpath crossing it. The footpath hasn't actually led anywhere since the M11 was built, and this crossing, with no barriers or gates, strikes me as incredibly dangerous. The only warning pedestrians would get is a whistle from an oncoming train."

Cllr. David Morson added "Local people have been signing a petition to Essex County Council, requesting that they redirect the dead-end footpath away from the railway track so that there is no longer any reason for the crossing to be kept in operation. Thanks to this excellent support, we have written to both Essex County Council and Network Rail to ask them to come and meet with residents about it. I feel that there is a very strong case to say that this dangerous crossing should be closed for good, to ensure that no more tragic deaths will occur on level crossings here."