MP delight at proposal for new footbridge at Stone Crossing station

Dartford MP, Dr Howard Stoate, has welcomed a proposal by Network Rail to close the level crossing at Stone Crossing and replace it with a pedestrian footbridge.

There have been a number of safety scares at the manually operated crossing in recent months with pedestrians finding themselves able to get onto the crossing when a train has been approaching. This has prompted the MP to call for the crossing to be closed on safety grounds and for a footbridge to be erected in its place.

“Given the recent safety scares there is a compelling case for closing the crossing and putting up a footbridge. The level crossing hasn’t been in regular use by cars for years so closing it to vehicle traffic won’t cause any real disruption to local drivers. Frankly, the sooner the crossing is closed and the footbridge is in place the better,” said Dr Stoate.

Network Rail has said that it will begin design work on a footbridge scheme once it has received permission from Kent Highways to close the level crossing to traffic.

Dr Stoate has now written to the head of Highways Agency in support of Network Rail’s application to close the level crossing.