Network Rail has closed the Wantage Road level crossing at Grove in Oxfordshire because of a number of dangerous incidents involving the public misusing the crossing.

The closure was necessary because people were stopping to take selfies on the high-speed railway line, putting not only themselves in danger but also passengers and railway staff on passing trains.

The crossing is on the Great Western Main Line, where trains travel at speeds of up to 125 mph. New images of the crossing taken last month show people stopping on the tracks to take photos, and CCTV footage released in July 2022 showed children dancing and performing scooter tricks at the same crossing.

Network Rail is now working with the local authorities to develop a permanent solution to prevent further dangerous incidents.

A 26% increase in accidental deaths on the railway network compared with last year has prompted Network Rail and British Transport Police to launch a new campaign targeting unsafe behaviour on the railway. The highlight of the campaign is new hard-hitting safety films featuring first responders describing the devastating physical and emotional impact caused by accidents on and around the railway.

Last year, out of the 467 near misses with trains at level crossings, 457 involved pedestrians, with distraction by mobile phones a probable contributing factor to some of those events. As well as pedestrians risking their lives, a knock-on effect of safety incidents has a serious impact on train performance, which last year resulted in a cumulative total of over one million minutes of delays to train services caused by people straying onto railway lines.

Among the incidents during the past year was one on Merseyside in January. In an effort to reduce numbers, Network Rail staff attended the Crufts dog show in March to hand out information and advice about safety at level crossings.

“These figures are deeply concerning, and it is heartbreaking to know that twenty-four people did not make it home due to circumstances that were entirely preventable. Every one of these deaths is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. All we ask is that people ensure that they pay attention when they find themselves in a rail setting. Only cross at safe, designated locations such as bridges or level crossings, and when you are using them, give them your full attention. The situations shown in our campaign films are real. Please don’t let them become true for you or your loved ones.”

Priti Patel, Chief Health, Safety & Wellbeing Officer at Network Rail