Level crossing shut due to youngsters playing 'chicken' on the tracks set to reopen
The site was shut abruptly under emergency powers
A six-figure safety upgrade is scheduled to begin next week at a level crossing that was abruptly shut after youths were seen playing ‘chicken’ with oncoming trains.
Work starting October 5 will transform Sportsfield level crossing in Featherstone into a Miniature Stop Light system, clearing the way for it to be reopened to the public before the end of the year.
The site was temporarily shut on April 23 under emergency powers following a series of dangerous incidents.
To stop people stepping onto the tracks, palisade fencing was put up, while British Transport Police and Network Rail stepped up patrols to ensure the problem was not simply pushed to other neighbouring sites.
Alongside the physical barriers, an education campaign reached thousands of pupils across 13 local schools with dedicated rail safety sessions.
The forthcoming overhaul will see the crossing shifted 40 metres east of its current spot to satisfy operational and signalling demands.
Once installed, the new setup will inform pedestrians when it is safe to cross using red and green warning lights, backed by CCTV cameras fitted to capture misuse and aid ongoing surveillance.
Darren Robertson-Wilson, Network Rail level crossing manager, said: "Following four near misses and a number of other misuse incidents in a short period, we temporarily closed Sportsfield level crossing while we developed a safer long-term solution.
"These changes will allow the crossing to reopen with significantly improved safety measures in place.
"We’re grateful for residents’ patience while this work is carried out and we’ll continue to work closely with the community as the project progresses.”
Wakefield Council has backed the scheme to bring the footpath back into service safely.
Joe Jenkinson, Wakefield Council’s service director for planning, transportation and strategic highways, said: “We are supportive of the relocation of the crossing and the upgrade of access and safety features to make the level crossing much safer for our residents.
“We recognise the importance of this footpath crossing to local people and the inconvenience its closure has caused.
" We’ll continue to work closely with Network Rail to monitor the progress of the work and make sure that this important access route reopens for the local community as soon as possible.”