A new pedestrian footbridge over the railway in Stone has been installed by Network Rail.
The bridge, just down from the railway station on the footpath towards the canal, was put in place at the end of November. The new bridge comes after one was erected over the railway at Whitebridge Lane (lots of stories on that HERE).
A Network Rail spokesman said: ““The safest level crossing is a closed one and the bridge at this location provides safe access over the railway for local people. We have committed to improving level crossing safety across the rail network between now and 2019 and will continue to improve or close crossings wherever possible.”
Stone resident Emma Clifford is concerned at access issues for disabled people, the infirm and parents with pushchairs. She said: “As a parent using a pushchair, I dread to think how someone with a disability would cope as it now means that people will have to go either to the edge of the Whitebridge housing estate or all the way to Newcastle Road to access the railway station or the canal.”
The footbridge at Whitebridge Lane was initially due to have ramped access, but planning consent for this design was turned down, leading to the steps-only bridge. Stone town councillors admitted at a recent meeting that the lack of a bridge had been a mistake.
The new footbridge isn’t expected to be in use for another week or two. Until then, the pedestrian level crossing will remain open.
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