Emergency closure of Featherstone level crossing extended due to 'repeated, reckless behaviour'
Network Rail has applied for an extended six-month closure period of Sportsfield level crossing at Featherstone, following a sustained period of serious safety concerns.
The crossing was temporarily shut for an initial 21 days on April 23 after repeated dangerous misuse, which included reports of young people playing ‘chicken’ with trains.
Temporary mesh fencing installed on the day of the closure has been upgraded to continuous palisade fencing to prevent access.
Patrols have been stepped up by Network Rail teams and British Transport Police (BTP) to closely monitor the area, deter trespass and check that the misuse seen at Sportsfield has not been displaced elsewhere on the line.
Education and community engagement are also a key part of Network Rail’s work during the crossing closure.
In light of the recent misuse seen at Sportsfield level crossing, staff have been visiting schools to speak directly to pupils about the dangers of the railway and the potentially fatal consequences of misusing level crossings.
Nine schools have been visited across the Featherstone, Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford areas – delivering focused rail safety engagement to more than 2,730 students, mostly of secondary school age.
More work is ongoing to raise safety awareness, as Network Rail emphasises that there are No Second Chances on the railway and many dangers to consider – such as the fact it can take a train the length of 20 football pitches to come to a stop.
Network Rail has applied for an extended, six-month closure period to allow time to scope and design safety measures which would allow the crossing to be reopened.
These include plans for miniature stop lights to be installed, while CCTV is also being considered.
Darren Robertson-Wilson, Network Rail level crossing manager, said: “Network Rail understands the inconvenience the current closure of Sportsfield level crossing may cause for some people but safety must remain the highest priority.
"We’ve seen repeated, reckless behaviour here and the actions we’ve taken are about preventing someone from being seriously injured or killed.
“Our position remains that increased safety measures are needed before Sportsfield level crossing can be reopened safely. While the crossing has been closed, we’ve continued to work closely with the community, Wakefield Council and BTP to that end.”