A hazardous railway crossing in Oxfordshire has been shut down after disturbing incidents of people taking selfies and dancing on the tracks. The Wantage Road pedestrian level crossing in Grove was closed by Network Rail following multiple episodes of reckless behavior.
Photographs recently surfaced showing individuals pausing on a high-speed line—where trains can reach speeds up to 125mph—to snap selfies, endangering themselves, passengers, and rail staff. CCTV footage from Network Rail also revealed groups performing scooter stunts and dancing directly on the live railway at the same location.
Emma Barry, Network Rail’s level crossing manager, voiced her grave concerns: “These images highlight the dangerous and thoughtless behavior we unfortunately see too often across the rail network.”
She warned, “The frequency of unsafe incidents at this crossing has forced us to act decisively to prevent a potentially fatal accident.”
Barry emphasized that such reckless actions do not just risk the lives of those on the tracks but also jeopardize the safety of railway employees and passengers.
In response to these incidents, Network Rail and local authorities are collaborating on long-term solutions to prevent further hazards at this site.
This closure aligns with a broader push to combat a 26 percent increase in accidental deaths on UK railways compared to last year. Network Rail and the British Transport Police have launched a new hard-hitting safety campaign featuring frontline responders sharing poignant stories about the devastating impact of railway accidents.
Last year alone, 24 lives were lost in preventable railway accidents across the UK, including five at level crossings and 19 involving unauthorized railway crossings.
Emma Barry added, “Our campaign is designed to be direct and impactful, especially as we approach the summer holidays when pedestrian activity near railways increases. We urge everyone to follow safety guidelines and remain vigilant around level crossings.”
Throughout the summer, the new safety films will be broadcast nationwide, reinforcing the critical message to stay safe and alert on and around the rail network.