Crossing upgrade after youths play 'chicken'

A level crossing that was shut due to children "playing chicken" with oncoming trains will reopen after a major upgrade, Network Rail has confirmed.

Sportsfield level crossing in Featherstone, Wakefield, was closed temporarily in April due to "repeated dangerous misuse", but Network Rail said it planned to add more safety features and relocate it to a safer location.

Work was expected to begin on 5 October to move the crossing 130ft (40m) to the east and install mini traffic lights and CCTV to deter trespassers and better monitor the area, a spokesperson said.

They added: "These changes will allow the crossing to reopen with significantly improved safety measures in place."

It was expected the upgrade would be completed before the end of 2026, they stated.

The rail company previously said there had been four instances of dangerous misuse within a fortnight, including children "playing chicken" and a two-year-old child wandering onto the tracks.

It is estimated the work will be complete by the end of the year [Network Rail]

Following the emergency closure, fencing was erected to prevent access and regular patrols were carried out to make sure youngsters were not doing the same at nearby crossings.

Network Rail also held rail safety workshops at 13 schools across the area and ran an event at the National Coal Mining Museum's Emergency Services Day earlier this month.

Darren Robertson-Wilson, Network Rail's level crossing manager, said: "We're investing to relocate the crossing and install miniature stop lights and CCTV.

"The new layout will maintain existing access points while providing a safer and more accessible crossing."

Passengers would be able to enter and leave the level crossing from the same locations, but a new fence would be added to "improve public safety and accessibility", he explained.

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."

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