Close School Lane Level Crossing

'Every day children going to Sheet school cross over an unmanned railway crossing which carries over 100 trains a day with a line speed of 90mph. Network Rail have said the number of trains are set to increase in the future due to demand from commuters.

The children also face the dangers of fast moving 'rat run' vehicles who use the crossing speeding through junctions and mounting pavements as the children navigate along narrow pavements. We also have two nurseries in the village whose children have to walk over the crossing. Network Rail are keen to close the crossing due its proximity to the school and the associated safety risks.

Recorded near misses on the crossing in the last two years alone have included: a near miss with a pedestrian and also a car driving onto the line, causing the service to come to a standstill. Other recorded near misses have included two children cycling across the line in front of an oncoming train and a member of the public walking across the crossing in front of a train when the barriers were down.

A recent survey showed that the vast majority of school parents are in favour of the crossing being closed; there would still be access for pedestrians, wheelchair users, buggies and bicycles so it would not cut off the village. Network Rail also aim to improve road safety in the surrounding area should the closure go ahead so there is no negative impact to other areas. They have also suggested turning circles either side of the closed crossing to facilitate access to the school. We need to act now to protect our children on their way to and from school.'