Level crossings warning

The Ramblers has warned that proposed new legislation on level crossings shouldn’t make it easier to divert or close rights of way across railway lines. Responding to a consultation led by the Law Commission and its counterpart in Scotland, the Ramblers said any changes should take account of pedestrian access and secure greater access where appropriate, noting that diversions along alternative country lanes may be equally dangerous.
“In Scotland, better regulation and control of Network Rail is needed,” says Helen Todd, Ramblers Scotland’s development officer. “It failed to cooperate in drawing up the Scottish Outdoor Access Code in 2005 and since then has been trying to close level crossings without public consultation and erecting false notices.”
• Tendring Ramblers (pictured above) walked a long lost footpath over a level crossing at Brakey Grove, Wrabness, Essex, in August after they successfully campaigned to have it cleared by the council and got new steps installed by National Rail.



