Latest news with #railwaycrossing
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
Barnsley rail crossing shut to 'prevent possible tragedy'
A six-month closure order has been passed for a railway crossing after people were filmed showing "disregard for safety" on the Wilthorpe footpath in Barnsley was temporarily shut by emergency order in May after youths were caught on CCTV lying down on the tracks for photos and holding the gate shut to trap people on the Cunningham, Network Rail crossing manager, said he was looking to "prevent a possible tragedy" after seeing footage of the incidents, which involved children and adults."The shocking misuse and disregard for safety is the worst I've ever seen, with people risking their own and others' lives," he said. Fifteen separate incidents were recorded at the site in two months, which include people placing objects on the track and lying down on the live six-month footpath closure has now been approved by Barnsley Council, following two three-week emergency closure orders."We have received messages from residents supporting our decision, recognising that this was entirely the right thing to do for the safety of the community," Mr Cunningham Transport Police have visited local schools to raise awareness about staying safe around railways, Network Rail said. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
Selfies and stunts prompt Grove level crossing closure
People taking selfies and dancing on a railway line has resulted in the closure of a pedestrian level crossing. The Wantage Road crossing in Grove, Oxfordshire, has been shut by Network Rail after a series of dangerous taken last month at the site, on the Great Western Main Line, show people stopping on the tracks to take 2022 children were spotted dancing on the route, where trains can reach speeds of up to 125mph. Emma Barry, from Network Rail, said the "reckless and incredibly dangerous" behaviour was seen "far too often" at crossings. "The number of unsafe incidents at this particular crossing has left us with no choice but to take action and close it before a tragedy happens," she said. "The people in these photos not only put themselves at serious risk of death with their unsafe behaviour, they also put the safety of our staff and passengers at risk."The closure comes as Network Rail and the British Transport Police launch a new campaign to raise awareness of accidental deaths on the railway, which are at a five-year Rail said 24 people died in the UK as a result of preventable accidents on the railway last year. Five of those deaths occurred at level crossings, while the remaining 19 involved people crossing the railway at unauthorised points. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Barnsley railway crossing shut after dangerous misuse
An emergency order has been passed to close a railway crossing after a string of "truly shocking" release by Network Rail showed people holding a gate shut at the Wilthorpe footpath crossing in Barnsley to trap others on the line as well as placing ballast on the tracks and lying down on the tracks to pose for order was granted by Barnsley Council after 15 dangerous incidents were recorded in the space of eight weeks. Andy Cunningham, route level crossing manager at Network Rail, described the behaviour as the worst he had seen saying it was "fortunate not to have had a fatality". He said the crossing was a popular walking route for residents and the decision to shut it had not been taken lightly."People are repeatedly risking their own and other people's lives."But, given the evidence and the severity of the situation, we believe that closing the crossing is the most responsible course of action to prevent any potential accidents or injuries," he said. Barnsley Council approved the emergency closure order on crossing will remain shut for three weeks, after which Network Rail said it would apply for a six-month order to keep it closed Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
