Network Rail remains concerned by the number of ‘near misses’ and dangerous behaviours on the rail crossings in the village, particularly at Chestnut Grove (The Nelson) and has been liaising with Parish and County Councillors to seek to communicate the need for more vigilant and safe crossing.
In particular Network Rail has emphasised the potential effect that a ‘near miss’ has on the mental health of train drivers and the impact it has on timetables and staffing on every occasion that emergency brakes are applied. Incidents have been recorded on camera of people standing on tracks on the phone, children playing and toddlers being allowed to roam freely on the crossing. There is high level of concern from the crossings management that this could end in a fatality.
To try and address this Network Rail will be hosting an information day on Saturday 15th October at The Nelson pub marquee. We would encourage you to come along to hear driver stories and see videos of the impact of poor crossing safety on the network to help spread the word of safer crossing and help keep this heavily used crossing open!