Tackley - Level crossing in Oxfordshire closes as new footbridge opens

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From Network Rail

A level crossing in Tackley, Oxfordshire, has closed and been replaced by footbridge as Network Rail continues to make the railway safer.

The crossing, near to Tackley station, was closed today (28 April) and has been replaced by a footbridge.

It follows repeated misuse of the level crossing with 15 incidents reported in the last 18 months.

The footbridge is a temporary structure as Network Rail continues to develop plans to create a subway which would also be wheelchair accessible. It is expected these plans will be shared with the community later this year.

Passengers and walkers will be able to use the new footbridge to access platform two, or to walk the bridleway to the east of the village.

And from National Rail

The level crossing at Tackley station has been closed. The Oxford bound platform is only accessible via a stepped footbridge. Passengers who require step free access to that platform, please call the Passenger Assist team on 0800 197 1329.

And from Real Time Trains looking for all services calling today

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[Bmblbzzz]

Glad to see the stepped bridge is temporary there are plans to replace with a wheel-accessible subway. Perhaps by the time they've completed that, trains might be calling again!

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, it's a bridleway crossing, so the option of footbridge replacement only has never been on the cards.  A previous application many years ago for a subway was rejected and an elderly lady was killed a few years after.

It is probably for the best that there's no real prospect of a bridge being installed as it would probably have to look like this: https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/new-trimley-bridge-provides-safer-access-across-railway monstrosity on the Felixstowe line.

[ChrisB]

It's a bridleway remember - so that would mean horse & rider accessibility. A very well lit subway will be needed.....

[Bmblbzzz]

I'm not an equestrian but I would be surprised if horses don't have rather better night vision than humans.

[Richard Fairhurst]

There was talk at one point of stopping up the bridleway given that there's an underbridge to the south (https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3204929). I'm glad that's not happening. It's part of a popular, albeit bumpy, cycle route from Tackley to Kirtlington.