Rail chiefs provide footbridge for safety

Bosses had become increasingly concerned after people continually

ignored warnings that a train was approaching the crossing at Bolton-on-Dearne rail station, near Barnsley.

The bridge in the village is the first in a series of projects across Yorkshire which will cost 7.5m and aim to improve safety on isolated stretches of track where people cross.

Kevin Preece, area general manager for Network Rail, said: "This crossing had a history of misuses – where pedestrians dash across the tracks while warning lights are showing.

"This behaviour is obviously incredibly dangerous. This bridge and others are designed to to replace such crossings with footbridges which also give full disabled access."

The bridge was officially opened by Meryl White, daughter of the last station master at Bolton-on-Dearne, alongside officials from Network Rail and train operating firm Northern Rail.

A bench dedicated to Mrs White's father, Fred Abson, was also unveiled to mark his service in the village. He worked at the station for 18 years in the 1950s and 1960s.

Mrs White, whose sister Dorothy Stott was also at the ceremony, said: "Our father was dedicated the railway all his life and worked as station master from 1950 to 1968.

"He was well respected in the railway industry and in Bolton-on-Dearne."

Three other bridges to improve safety will be built to replace pedestrian level crossings at Moorthorpe, near Pontefract, Woodlesford in Leeds and Normanton, in the Wakefield district.