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26
Mar
Knaresborough man calls for 'proper process' before level crossing is closed permanently
A Knaresborough resident is calling for more transparency before any decision is made to permanently close a level crossing in the town.
David Houlgate, who often posts photos and videos of road and rail developments in Knaresborough, told the Stray Ferret that he feared Network Rail may be planning to shut Frogmire Lane level crossing without sufficient consultation.
The company closed the crossing last month as a temporary emergency measure after a child was nearly hit by a train, but recently replaced its temporary barricade with more robust fencing.
It told the Stray Ferret this week that it may look to close the crossing permanently.
Mr Houlgate, who before retirement was a trade union health and safety representative, said:
Nobody wants anyone to be killed or injured on a railway line, and there may be very good reasons to close the crossing permanently.
But my concern is that a proper process should be followed if they’re going to take away a public amenity and right of way.
Alternative safety suggestions
When Network Rail first shut off the level crossing last month, it installed a barrier with a sign that gave a phone number to call with any questions about the temporary closure.
But the company recently replaced that barrier with more robust fencing that has no sign attached – which Mr Houlgate took to suggest that Network Rail hopes to close the crossing permanently without questions being asked.
The new fencing at Frogmire Lane pedestrian level crossing. Photo: David Houlgate.
He added:
I don’t know why train drivers don’t sound their horn every time they approach the Frogmire crossing. When they’re approaching the crossing near the viaduct heading into Harrogate they sound their horn, so I don’t know why they can’t at Frogmire.
Also, between Knaresborough station and the Belmont level crossing at Starbeck there’s a pedestrian crossing that has a traffic light system, and the gates lock when a train’s approaching.
It’s reasonable to ask why neither of these measures can be employed at Frogmire. There may be good reasons why they can’t be implemented, but we need to know why.
This week, the Stray Ferret asked Network Rail whether trains sounding their horns when approaching the crossing would be an effective way of making it safer, but the company’s response did not address that question.
Alternative route
Mr Houlgate said if it did prove necessary to close the Frogmire Lane crossing, an alternative route should be made available.
He said:
If they’re going to take away a public amenity and right of way, there needs to be a viable alternative. There is one, in that there’s another footpath above the allotments, but some of it is just a muddy track. If just a relatively short stretch was made up, it would negate the need for a crossing at Frogmire.
The alternative footpath near Halfpenny Close can get muddy when wet. Photo: David Houlgate.
In a statement this week, a Network Rail spokesperson said:
This crossing is among the highest‑risk in Yorkshire, with a history of misuse, restricted visibility, very quiet approaching trains and several near‑miss incidents involving children.
We fully understand the impact this has on the community and we’re sorry for any inconvenience, but safety must always come first. We will continue to work with the council and the community as plans progress.
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