Troubling CCTV footage from Burton Joyce shows reckless behaviour at Chestnut Grove level crossing

A rise in reckless behaviour at a popular level crossing has been dramatically captured on CCTV.

Footage captured over recent months shows toddlers being left unattended on the crossing, trespassing and dogs being left off their leads.

The Chestnut Grove level crossing in Burton Joyce, on the Nottingham to Lincoln line, has around 70 trains travel on it.

Anna Ebblewhite, level crossing manager for Network Rail, said: “We’ve seen some incredibly worrying behaviour at Burton Joyce level crossing, which shows just how unaware some residents are of how dangerous the railway can be."

Network Rail, with support from East Midlands Railway, Nottingham County Council and Burton Joyce Parish Council, will be running hard-hitting sessions on railway safety.

A three-hour educational session will be held in a marquee at the Nelson Pub in Burton Joyce on Saturday, October 15, between 10am and 1pm.

“We’re delivering this interactive session to help residents understand how to use the crossing safely, and ultimately improve safety amongst the community. I really hope that people join us this Saturday — we’ll have experts on hand to answer your questions,” said Anna Ebblewhite.

“This is a very important issue for residents and visitors to the village. We are looking to work with Network Rail and others to understand the causes, improve public education, safety signage and infrastructure improvements, to significantly reduce the potential for unsafe behaviour and the consequent effect on rail staff and network operation,” said Laurence King, chairman of Burton Joyce Parish Council.

The session will teach about top tips for safety, including: concentrate; stop, look and listen; check both ways before crossing; cross quickly, keeping children close and dogs on a lead.

Mike Adams, of Gedling Borough Council, said: “The risks being taken currently by some, while crossing the railway are frightening to see on the replays from the cameras on site. We risk losing this incredible asset if we don’t get better at using it,

“Please come along to the education day and help us all learn how to better protect the residents we all care about.”