Walsall railway tragedy: Foot crossing was recommended for closure three years ago
A foot crossing in Walsall where a teenage girl died after being hit by a train was recommended for closure three years ago, according to railway bosses.
Network Rail chiefs said they had urged Walsall Council to close the Wallows Lane crossing back in 2014 for safety reasons.
The organisation's safety inspectors visit crossings around the country on a regular basis and were at the site near the Banks's Stadium three years ago, before issuing the recommendation.
However, the council said 'discussions' about the closure took place – but no formal application was submitted by Network Rail.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Network Rail is committed to reducing the risk on the railway.
"If Britain was building the railway now, we wouldn’t have any level crossings, but many level crossing are on public rights of way so Network Rail is working with local councils across the country to either close crossings or find alternative ways to get people safely across the railway.”
In a statement, Walsall Council said: "There were discussions with Network Rail in 2014 about removing the definitive public right of way across the level crossing.
"Contrary to suggestions, the council didn't object to this proposal.
"However, no further formal application for its closure was received from Network Rail – had it been, the council would have consulted upon it.
"In light of this tragic event, the council is working with Network Rail to consider the future of the level crossing."
The girl was hit by a train at the foot crossing on Tuesday afternoon.
It will be closed for at least 21 days while investigations into the tragedy are carried out.
Police said it is believed the girl was crossing the tracks after a freight train had gone by, but was struck by another train coming in the opposite direction.
Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) attended the scene alongside paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The death is currently being treated as unexplained, with BTP trying to establish what exactly happened in the moments before her death.
