Network Rail set to add safety measures at "risky" crossing on planned open access route

Network Rail has brought forward plans to install lights at a crossing, after being accused by MPs of “appearing to have no plan” to address safety concerns.

The MPs for Shrewsbury (Julia Buckley, Labour), North Shropshire (Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat) and Wrexham (Andrew Ranger, Labour), wrote to NR Chief Executive Sir Andrew Haines, following final representations in relation to the Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway open access plan.

In its letter to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), NR had said WSMR’s services would increase the risk at Viaduct footpath crossing (near Chirk) to one that is “not tolerable at this time without further risk mitigation measures installed”.

That, and West Coast Main Line capacity, were the main drivers behind NR’s stance of not supporting the application.

The infrastructure owner highlighted 13 separate incidents between November 2024 and March 2025. These included one that involved 39 people, while 11 of the 13 incidents took place in March - a month that is “not typically considered peak usage time”. NR warned that numbers could be higher during the summer.

Viaduct crossing has one whistle board that provides an “inconsistent warning”. NR said a second board would not reduce the risk sufficiently to introduce new services.

So far, NR has not carried out an on-site study, and said more feasibility work would be needed before a new whistle board was installed. It also said the only other mitigation option to support WSMR services is Overlay Miniature Stop Lights.

MPs responding to NR’s submission said they were “alarmed” at the findings, but added: “What is more alarming is that Network Rail has recognised the threat posed by the crossing but appears to have no plans to address it.”

They said the site “clearly presents a serious and immediate risk of harm”, with urgent action needed regardless of whether any new services begin operation. They asked for an outline of NR’s plans.

In response, NR said miniature stop lights are due to be installed in December.

A spokeswoman said: “Network Rail (Wales and Borders) manages more than 1,000 level crossings, all of which are carefully monitored on a regular basis. 

“As a result, Viaduct crossing had already been identified for safety improvements. The design of a miniature stop light system started in 2023 and was originally planned for delivery in the next rail funding period (2029-34). 

“However, in early 2025, we installed surveillance cameras to better understand how Viaduct crossing was being used, and the evidence showed a rise in unsafe behaviour in that area. 

“As a result, we made the decision to bring the installation of the miniature stop light system forward, aiming for December this year.

"Any level crossing has the potential to be dangerous. Network Rail works consistently to promote the need for vigilance and safe behaviours at level crossings through activities such as media campaigns, community engagement, school visits, and more, at both local and national levels."

When asked why it didn't mention this decision in its response to the WSMR application, NR said the initial design was "aligned to the Transport for Wales timetable increase, prior to WSMR's open access application".

NR said the anticipated costs for the lights was £570,000.