Oxfordshire level crossing closes after incidents amid safety campaign
Some people were seen taking selfies on the train crossing at Wantage Road
A level crossing in Oxfordshire is being closed following a spate of dangerous incidents on the tracks amid a new safety campaign.
Wantage Road pedestrian crossing in Grove was closed on Thursday (July 3rd) in order for Network Rail to implement a new system to protect people using the crossing.
Images taken by Network Rail during May found that several people had stopped on the level crossing to loiter and take selfies - on a well-used stretch of train tracks in the county.
This is not the first time that the crossing has been at the centre of Network Rail's safety campaigns, after CCTV footage was released in July of 2022 showing children dancing on the crossing, as well as doing tricks on their scooters.
Speaking on the incidents caught on camera, Emma Barry from Network Rail branded their actions as "reckless and incredibly dangerous".
She explained: "The number of unsafe incidents at this particular crossing has left us with no choice but to take action and close it before a tragedy happens.
“The people in these photos not only put themselves at serious risk of death with their unsafe behaviour, they also put the safety of our staff and passengers at risk.
“Our new safety campaign with the British Transport Police is deliberately hard-hitting, at a time where accidental deaths on the railway are at a five-year high.
"We’re urging everyone to follow the guidance on using level crossings safely and stay alert when using them, particularly with the school summer holidays approaching.”
It comes as Network Rail launches a new safety campaign to tackle accidental deaths on the railway network.
According to the latest figures, some twenty-four people lost their lives in accidents that could have been prevented just last year; five of which taking place at level crossings.
Priti Patel, Network Rail's head of security and wellbeing, said: "These figures are deeply concerning and it is heartbreaking to know that twenty-four people did not make it home due to circumstances that were entirely preventable. Every one of these deaths is a tragedy that devastates families and communities.
“All we ask is that people ensure that they pay attention when they find themselves in a rail setting.
"Only cross at safe, designated locations such as bridges or level crossings and when you are using them, give them your full attention.
"The situations shown in our campaign films are real. Please don’t let them become true for you or your loved ones."