Knaresborough level crossing closed under emergency order after near miss involving a child
Network Rail has ordered the emergency closure of a Knaresborough level crossing after raising serious concerns about public safety.
On Thursday (Feb 26), Network Rail closed the Frogmire Lane level crossing because of a number of serious safety concerns.
The decision to seek a 21‑day emergency closure order was taken due to a number of factors, including a recent near miss incident involving a child.
Network Rail had already begun gauging public opinion about permanently closing the pedestrian crossing at Knaresborough due to a number of safety concerns.
These include the curved railway alignment, which severely restricts pedestrian sight lines, and seasonal vegetation growth on a steep embankment that makes it extremely difficult to manage visibility safely.
The organisation also raised concerns about trains coasting along this section of the line, making them harder to hear approaching, as well as a high proportion of vulnerable users such as school aged children.
Long standing issues of misuse and vandalism were also cited.
Dave Smith, Network Rail route level crossing manager, said: “Our view is that Frogmire Lane level crossing presents an unacceptable level of risk, and our application for an emergency closure on safety grounds has been accepted by the local authority.
“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused to crossing users. Decisions like this are not taken lightly, but our priority is always to keep the public safe, and the combination of poor sight lines, high levels of misuse and the number of vulnerable users means urgent action was needed.”
Network Rail said it will seek to extend the closure for six months after the current emergency order, as long-term options are explored.