Plans to close ‘dangerous’ footpath over 100mph railway line rejected
Councillors say a bridge needs to be built, as there is no alternative for pedestrians
Plans to close a ‘dangerous’ public footpath that crosses a railway line where trains reach speeds of 100mph have been rejected.
Network Rail asked Wiltshire Council to sign an order extinguishing a right of way – which would allow them to close a level crossing that sees around 200 people cross every day.
But without a bridge as an alternative for the residents of the 300-home Amazon Way estate, members of Wiltshire Council’s western area planning committee were in no mood to approve the request.
Network Rail reminded the committee this week (Wednesday, October 8) that it had objected to the development of Amazon Way when the planning application was first submitted in 2016, but received assurances that a bridge would be built over the high-speed line, which bypasses Westbury Station.
It had suggested an alternative route which added a kilometre for anyone walking from the estate to the town centre. The route passes under a narrow bridge at Station Road, where the path measures just 700mm – narrower, as Chris Vaughan (Trowbridge Park Reform UK) pointed out, than a domestic door.
Concerns were expressed that closure of the footpath would force residents to use their cars instead, adding traffic to already congested roads.
The committee heard that £2 million had been secured for the provision of a bridge from the developer of Amazon Way, and a further contribution is expected from the developer of a neighbouring estate. The council is currently looking at options for a new road bridge over the railway line, but if that is not forthcoming the £2 million will be put towards a footbridge.
Lisa Bullock, a senior town planner for Network Rail, said: “We anticipated, and have seen, a significant increase in use directly as a result of the new development.
“The right of way order before you today is a necessary step in fulfilling planning obligations and securing the provision of a safe, accessible crossing as was always intended.”
Dan Hayes, a Network Rail level crossing manager, told councillors that a warning light system for pedestrians gave just 24 seconds notice before a train passes over the crossing.
He said the company was concerned for the safety of “vulnerable users” including children, parents with children, the elderly, and dog walkers.
And he said misuse of the crossing – including by children, as pictured – had been captured on CCTV.
Josh Murray, Network Rail’s route level crossing manager, said the lights offered the “highest level of protection possible on this type of crossing.
“There is a level of risk that technology alone cannot manage safely,” he said.
He continued: “A bridge was built into the planning process, but despite eight years having passed there are still no plans in place to deliver a bridge. For us, doing nothing is not an option and we are forced to pursue a diversion order.
“If the application is refused we may have to consider speed restrictions or even a line closure, which would cause disruption for everyone.”
Debating the application, Cllr Boaz Barry (Westbury North, Reform UK) said: “It’s not just a path – it’s a vital lifeline. The whole west of Westbury relies on the route.
“A bridge must be built so the crossing can be closed safely.
“Westbury was pledged a bridge from Main Way to Amazon Way. That is the investment Westbury deserves.”
Cllr Gordon King (Westbury East, Liberal Democrats) a former railway patrolman whose route included the crossing, said it was “a vital right of way that has served the community for generations – in fact 93 years.”
He added: “If safety is a concern then build the bridge – do not punish the public by removing a vital right of way.”
And Cllr Robert Smith (Westbury West, Reform UK), said: “We wouldn’t be here at all, but the famous bridge that should have been built has never been built.
“Three hundred and sixty five more houses are coming to Main Way, which will mean another 1,000 people within another 100 yards of that crossing.
“We need that bridge!”
Cllr Stewart Palmén (Trowbridge Central, Liberal Democrats), who was chairing the meeting, said: “The bridge is the obvious solution.”
The committee voted unanimously to reject Network Rail’s application to close the footpath, and also voted unanimously for Cllr Palmén to write to the relevant cabinet member urging the construction of a bridge.