MEMBERS of Thurrock Council unanimously backed a call to keep the Grays level crossing open for pedestrian traffic on Wednesday (25 March).
Council Leader, Cllr John Kent, asked for a show of hands “in the traditional manner”at the start of the meeting of the full council.
He said: “Network Rail are seriously considering shutting the level crossing in the High Street because they fear people will be hurt – or worse – because they walk along the lines out of the station and jump over or through the barriers.”
Cllr Kent said he was a regular user of the crossing and the station, in fact he had taken a train to and from London on that day, and there were no signs or announcements to passengers about the dangers.
He said: “It might be a stupid and risky thing to do, but the railway authorities do not seem to have done anything to prevent it. Put some signs up! Fence off the end of the platform! Do something!
“But before Network Rail decide to take any action to cut Grays in two, they should at least make sure the barriers are robust enough to prevent people squeezing through and perhaps they should encourage British Transport Police to take more legal action against those acting illegally.”
He added: “The reason I am mentioning this tonight in what promises to be a very long meeting, is that I understand the director is meeting with Network Rail tomorrow and I thought it would add to the strength of his argument if he could report he has the support of the whole council.
“To that end, can I ask that everyone who believes it is imperative the level crossing is kept open so mums and dads with pushchairs, people in wheelchairs and everyone who has difficulty walking can use it to get from one side of town to the other indicates in the traditional manner.
“Closing the crossing has to be the absolute last resort after everything has been tried.”
Following the vote, the mayor announced: “Unanimous, I think.”
