The pedestrian level crossing at Stone railway station has been closed with immediate effect due to “dangerous misuse” incidents.
Over a nine day period a Network Rail study recorded 33 incidents that they classed as “misuse”.
Incidents ranged from children standing still on the level crossing, not crossing safely and quickly. There were also people occupied by their mobiles as they crossed the railway lines.
Other recorded misuse’s were:
- Large groups of people crossing the railway at once and not looking or listening for trains
- School children wearing headphones and not concentrating as they cross the railway
- Adults running across the railway and not allowing enough time to cross correctly
The permanent closure of the crossing has been made by Network Rail on the grounds of the safety of local people.
Mark Killick, area director for Network Rail, said:
“We’ve done this for the safety of local people based on the evidence we have gathered.
“We are committed to improving safety at level crossings.”
A diversion will be in place via Chestnut Grove and Mount Road/Mount Crescent, crossing the railway at the road barrier level crossing.
An average of 64 people a day used the crossing, up from 20 per day during a nine-day study in May 2015.
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1 comment
Kris Grainger
I saw the camera they had there. I wonder if a lot of people were just posing for the camera? It’s a shame this has been closed but Stone has seen a lot of problems with crossings over the years so they’re best done away with. However, they do need to make better provisions for people with disabilities at crossings as the foot bridges are not wheelchair friendly.