Death crossing to be shut down

Network Rail says it is conducting a review into the site where William David Roberts was hit by a train at the crossing near Lightcliffe Golf Club in September last year.

At the inquest of the Lightcliffe man, Calderdale Coroners’ Court heard from Chris Jackson, head of Northern Rail operations in the North and East, who said a full investigation was conducted by the rail franchise and it is working closely with Network Rail in reducing risks at crossings, in particular the one at Lightcliffe.

In light of the incident involving the 67-year-old from Lydgate Park, Lightcliffe, the railway crossing is set to be closed.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We are actively seeking closure of the crossing in Lightcliffe by diverting the right of way.

“We are working with Calderdale Council and Lightcliffe Golf Club to agree a solution.”

No timescale has been set for how long the review will take or when the right of way will be closed.

Proposals are also being explored between Network Rail, Calderdale Council’s rights of way officer and landowners with a view to diverting the public footpath, which currently crosses over the rail line at Lower Brear, Hipperholme.

Concerns were raised after 39-year-old Kimberley Needham, from Halifax, was hit by the 6.15pm Manchester to Leeds Northern Rail service close to Hipperholme Tunnel, near Halifax, on Monday, December 29, 2014.

Two weeks earlier teenager Milena Gagic was hit by a train while sitting in between the tracks with a friend at 12.30am on December 13, at the crossing, off Halifax Road.

At her inquest, where a verdict of accidental death was recorded, Coroner Oliver Longstaff said that no further report would be sent to the railway authorities to look at the safety of the line.

He said that crossings are a dangerous place but there are enough warning signs in place.