New footbridge to replace level crossing would be ‘threatening for lone women’

A planned footbridge to replace Copmanthorpe’s level crossing would feel threatening for lone women and would not be accessible for people in wheelchairs, York’s transport chief has said.

Coun Andy D’Agorne. York’s deputy leader and a Green councillor, said he did not support Network Rail’s plans for a replacement bridge further north at the Beckett’s Crossing site, which would be stepped and not ramped.

Network Rail has said that improvements between York and Church Fenton will allow trains to reach speeds of 125mph on all four lines, “bringing faster, more reliable journeys for passengers.”

The crossing is currently controlled by miniature red and green stop lights on both sides, but people are able to ignore the lights and cross anyway.

Network Rail has recorded eight incidents at the crossing in the last 11 years, including near misses, people trying to cross while a train is approaching and children playing on the crossing.

On a typical weekday, around  690 trains pass over it.

City of York Council officers recommended that Coun D’Agorne, who is also deputy leader of the council, supported Network Rail’s proposed bridge for public safety reasons.

They pointed out that the current crossing is also not ideal for people with disabilities. 

But Coun D’Agorne said: “An unattractive, unlit, enclosed bridge would be particularly threatening for lone women and anyone who’s concerned about the threat of crime and threats of violence.”

Coun D’Agorne added that the proposal coul lead to “unlawful discrimination”.

“It’s within the remit of Network Rail to assess the relative costs and benefits of alternatives which can provide an alternative route either under or over the line which is going to meet their safety requirements but also meet their responsibilities under the equalities act,” he added.

Coun D’Agorne and public speakers at the meeting also pointed out that the proposal would hinder a possible future active travel route linking Copmanthorpe and Bishopthorpe.

Jamie Wood, from York Cycle Campaign, said: “It is vital that the possibility of a cycle friendly and fully accessible crossing be explored prior to this opportunity effectively being lost forever.”

Copmanthorpe Parish Council raised questions about Network Rail’s consultation process and said the council should not support a “discriminatory proposal”.

The meeting heard that the landowner at the Beckett’s Crossing is not supportive of a ramped bridge.

Network Rail is still able to apply directly to the Secretary of State for Transport for a rail crossing diversion order for the bridge.

In response to Network Rail’s proposal Copmanthorpe Parish Council (CPC) made these points.

It said, CPC recognises Network Rail’s concern for the current safety at the crossing and acknowledges the assessment of the increased risk due to the ongoing East Coast Mainline upgrade.

CPC would also like to highlight, that the current setup with the gates and traffic lights for the crossing of the four lines, can already create a barrier for people to use the current crossing as they do not feel safe enough to do so.

Therefore, CPC supports Network Rail’s endeavour to make the crossing of the railway in Copmanthorpe safer.

“The officer’s report stated that extensive consultation has been carried out by Network Rail regarding their preferred options for diverting the footpath.

“As highlighted the consultation was never an open one, but always limited to Network Rail’s two preferred options.

“The first option of a provision of a 2.34km diversion via Temple Lane road bridge to then link back in with the public footpath on the Bishopthorpe side of the railway line was never a viable option as the proposed diversion was longer than the public footpath in the first place. Therefore the consultation was already just about one viable option.

“The Parish Council engaged with Network Rail further on the option of a crossing at the Recreation Centre grounds but withdrew the proposal after there was no support from the relevant stakeholders for the proposed duration of the closure of the sports pitches needed for the construction.

“CPC does not agree with Network Rail’s assessment that options should not have been consulted due to the “impact on the landscape/environment” or “surrounding land take requirements”, these are particular reasons where the local community and landowners can give important consideration and potential support for options which might look intrusive from a desk-based assessment.

“In its amended response to the consultation, CPC concluded its support for a ramped bridge at the Beckett’s Crossing location as its preferred option. But in summary, CPC does not consider the consultation sufficient both from the options and information provided and the proactive engagement with the users of the crossing and the local community.

Equalities Impact Assessment

“CPC supports the assessment in the officer’s report that a stepped bridge is not as accessible as one with ramps and that this will most likely be a breach of equalities legislation by Network Rail and possible by the Council in supporting this proposal.

“CPC does acknowledge that the current state of maintenance of the path at the embankment already creates an obstacle for some people with a disability that requires them to use a wheelchair, people with very young children or pushchairs and people with other limited mobility such as older or pregnant users.

“This does not mean that some of these users with protected characteristics are currently using the path and the crossing. Furthermore, accessibility obstacles due to poor maintenance of the current access, should not be a viable excuse for not enabling access in a newly build access solution.

“Based on the analysis in the officer’s report, City of York Council should not support a discriminatory proposal, which limits the accessibility for people with protected characteristics.”

CPC also says:

“Walking and cycle solutions between Copmanthorpe and Bishopthorpe are despite their proximity to each other limited.

“The affected footpath is the shortest and only direct connection. Alternatives are either along a busy country lane via Acaster Malbis or up Tadcaster Road and using the Sustrans Solar System Path via Dringhouses at the Park and Ride site.

“An upgrade of the footpath to a hard-surface path or potential combined cycle-footpath has always been a long-term vision for sustainable transport planning in York.

“The Executive Member will also recall that he authorised The Making Of A Definitive Map Modification Order For Yorkfield Lane in Copmanthorpe and following the appeals process the BOAT for Yorkfield Lane has just been confirmed.

“Since 2005 the Parish Council has been trying to get the agricultural designation removed and simply make Yorkfield Lane a public right of way along its entirety. This would allow the Parish Council, in conjunction with City of York Council, to put in a combined all-weather footpath and cycle/disability scooter track along the length of Yorkfield Lane extending from the bottom of Merchant Way to the proposed housing development on York field and beyond, thus providing a ‘green Lane’ route from the existing cycle track from York through to the centre of our village avoiding main roads.

“This lane would currently end at Beckett’s Crossing and would find its conclusion in the railway bridge proposed by Network Rail.”