WORCESTER residents are being invited to have their say on the draft orders to permanently close two pedestrian railway crossings in the city because of concerns about safety and anti-social behaviour.
The orders are being made in response to concerns that people could be injured when they walk across the rail lines at the crossings at Brickfields Park and the Laugherne Brook Nature Reserve – known as the Kays crossing – unless action is taken.
The City Council consulted residents last summer over the proposed permanent closures and received a positive response. Draft Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) have now been drawn up to put the closures into effect.
Both crossings are footpaths across the railway lines, rather than level crossings for cars. Both have been long-term targets of anti-social behaviour, trespass and vandalism.
The Brickfields crossing links Brickfields Park to Astwood Road and has been the subject of a Temporary Closure Order since 2011, because of safety concerns.
The Kays crossing links Bromyard Road to Laugherne Brook Nature Reserve, and has been temporarily closed since February 2020.
Network Rail has asked for the crossings to be permanently closed, because of concerns about safety at both sites. The power to take permanent action lies with Worcester City Council.
Coun James Stanley, chair of Worcester City’s Communities Committee, said: “Closing these two crossings will improve public safety at these two sites and also reduce the potential for anti-social behaviour.”
The deadline for completing the consultation at www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit is April 8.
