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Call for Werrington level crossing safety improvements
The Foxcovert level crossing near Werrington. Photo: Peterborough ET
Peterborough City Councillors have called for more safety improvements at a level crossing where a young boy died in 2009.
Safety concerns about the Foxcovert level crossing in Werrington were raised by councillors Ed Murphy and David Sanders, who said they were worried another child could be killed at the crossing.
Two-year-old Johnny Hall was killed at the crossing in 2009 after running through an open barrier.
The concerns were raised at a Town Hall meeting on Monday (9 January) of the Scrutiny Commission for Rural Affairs.
Cllr Sanders, who represents the Eye and Thorney ward, said: “The issues there have been well known for a long time. It is a busy line, with fast freight trains.
“A lot of children at Arthur Mellows School use the crossing, and I think something needs to be done to make the crossing safer, because the school is growing, and the amount of trains using it is going to grow as well.
“There has been work done, but we should not rest on our laurels.
“The issue should be raised with Network Rail before it is too late and someone else is injured or killed.
“The fact it has been raised at this meeting shows it is high on our agenda, and something councillors in rural areas are taking seriously.”
Cllr Murphy, who represents the Ravensthorpe ward agreed.
He said: “The crossing has been something of concern in the city for at least five years now.
“Something needs to be done to make it as secure as possible in order to prevent further deaths and injuries.
“I don’t know how much it costs, but we should be pushing for the very best systems that are available, as it could be a major problem in the future
“I think that Peterborough City Council should be willing to match fund the work with Network Rail, or for them to encourage the work to take place as soon as possible for the welfare of the residents of Peterborough.”
The comments from the councillors came after representatives from the British Transport Police came to the meeting to give a presentation on what they were doing to make level crossings safer.
Sergeant Roy McMichael said the crossing was an issue he was aware of.
He said: “I was only transferred to Peterborough a couple of months ago, but I have been told that Foxcovert crossing was an issue.
“We have been into schools in the area to speak to children, and I know it has come up in meetings with Network Rail in the past, and I will certainly pass your concerns on to Network Rail at the next meeting.”
Bridge plans for crossing
PLANS for a footbridge to be built at the level crossing were handed to Peterborough City Council from Network Rail last year.
The letter indicated that bosses were considering replacing the crossing with the footbridge because of safety concerns, and the proposals had been labelled as a ‘priority’ in the letter by Network Rail.
The news was welcomed by councillors in November last year after Network Rail said they were upgrading crossings along the line between Peterborough and Doncaster.
What do you think?
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 8 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
hyperqueen
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:55 PMMMMMM......are any of you that have made comments actually from werrington, used the crossing yourselves or have children that use the crossing to go to Arthur Mellows? I use that crossing a lot as I walk my dogs that way and as a local residents who see children using that crossing every day feel that it should have a bridge and it has long been called for. The crossing is used widely and is part of the green wheel so families use it too. As for the comment for the children to go the other way that road into Glinton is horrendous in the morning and I would not want my child on a bike crossing it, at least the other way there is a zebra crossing to get across and the Peakirk road is somewhat quieter to cross when out of Foxcovert to get onto the cyle lane through Glinton. The level crossing gates are not secure and it is very easy to operate and the speed the trains come from could be easily upon you. definately needs sorting before another tragedy happens.
Rob-B
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 01:29 PMTwo trains an hour, it's not difficult to cross that line safely. What's the betting the bridge would have steps making the crossing more difficult for cyclists and those in wheelchairs.
Lazy Daisy
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 09:33 AMComment removed by moderator
Holly GoIightly
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:09 PMThere is no need for this crossing at all. anyone want to go to the other side should go a different way.
J J Carter
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 10:23 PMBritain in broke. It would be lovely to have "the very best systems that are available" at every crossing, junction and station but the tax-payer is already being bled white. End of.
wamdue
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 09:36 PMits fairly safe to me, maybe they should put a crossing guard on at school times to help children, but is it really so hard to look before you cross. Basic role of "if you can see a train, dont cross and go back behind the gate" should apply.
lostsock
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 09:28 PMComment removed by moderator
nickg
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 09:08 PMComment removed by moderator
Page 1 of 1
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