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Network Rail set to close town crossing
A LONG-standing Newmarket pedestrian rail crossing is set to be closed for safety reasons.
Network Rail has confirmed that it wants to shut the crossing which links Cricketfield Road with Granary Road as part of a nationwide safety programme.
The announcement comes in the week that the company finally admitted health and safety breaches over the deaths of teenagers Olivia Bazlinton and Charlotte Thompson, who were hit by a train when using a pedestrian crossing at Elsenham in Essex in 2005.
Russell Spink, a spokesman for Network Rail, said: “This proposed closure is part of a nationwide programme to reduce the risks of level crossings.
“The Newmarket crossing falls into the high risk category because it is an open footpath crossing with no warning lights and the most practical thing to do would be to close it.”
He said because there were no public right of way rights across it Network Rail were under no obligation to provide an alternative crossing or consult with groups such as the local Ramblers’ Association.
Forest Heath District Council has been notified of the rail company’s intention as it is the landowner and was told if it, or Suffolk County Council, wished to provide money for a bridge as an alternative crossing, the cost would be about £1 million.
Newmarket town and district councillor Warwick Hirst said he was surprised Network Rail had not done any local consultation over its proposals and that closure of the crossing could cause problems for residents who use it to get to the town centre.
He said he had put the item on the agenda for discussion at Monday’s meeting of the town council’s community services committee.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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