Network Rail has closed Britains busiest railway foot crossing*, in Surrey, which saw more than 760 trains a day, and has been replaced by a footbridge
The opening of the £1.5 million footbridge in the village of Salfords, in Surrey, means Dean Farm crossing over the Brighton Main Line is now closed. This means residents, including children, can now cross the railway safely.
Throughout the UK, Network Rail has worked on closing more than 1,000 level crossings in the last five years, which many are in the South East. The company has already closed Willingdon Trees crossing near Eastbourne and replaced it with a bridge. They are now also working on Glebe Way crossing in Whitstable, Kent.
The new bridge was craned into place on Boxing Day and links Copsleigh Avenue with a network of paths in fields at the other side of the line. The crossing crosses 4 lines of the busy Brighton Main Line, where train operating companies Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Great Western Railway and Southern trains to London, Brighton, Reading and other parts of Sussex operate.
A group of children and their parents from Salfords School were the first to use the new bridge on Monday.
What did the officials say?
Simon Morgan, Network Rail's safety director for the South East, said: “With more than 760 trains a day, running at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour, this crossing was an unacceptable risk and I'm really pleased it has closed. I walked over the new bridge with a group of children from Salfords School on Monday and one of the little girls who used to use the foot crossing said how scary it was, so this is a huge improvement in safety for her and for everyone in the community.”
Salfords School Co-Headteacher Carrie Christer said: “Our school is so close to the railway and many of our children cross the line with their families, so it is great that with this new footbridge they can now cross safely.”
Cllr Barbara Thomson, of Surrey County Council and Reigate and Banstead council, helped Network Rail celebrate the bridge's opening. She said: “It's great news for the village that we can finally cross the railway here without having to face walking across all four tracks. The path links people's homes to rural fields and paths and will be much safer as a result. We are working with Surrey County Council to divert the footpath to make it easier to reach the bridge.”
From the Network Rail website: *Dean Farm crossing was the country's busiest crossing in terms of the number of trains going over it. There have been a number of near misses at the site over the years, some involving children, and a recent increase in patrols improved safety until the bridge could be built.
- Visit the Network Rail website
For more information
Is there not a law introduced a few years ago stating that all pedestrian access has to be accessible by the disabled? Surely Network Rail are in breach of this?
Trebuchet!
How do you get over this in a wheelchair or bike. Seriously this does not cater for the disabled or cycling community. Ramps or a lift at both ends is required.
Hi
I have used this crossing and now the bridge, Before the bridge there were stairs and stiles both sides of the old crossing and has been like that for years and to get to that was through muddy fields. This is a improvement and safer money well spent.
There were stairs and a stile both sides of the crossing
What provision has been made for those unable to climb stairs ?
My thoughts exactly! It should have had ramps – much easier for anyone with a pushchair or bicycle, as well as making the route accessible to those of us who can’t manage steps.