Closure of level crossing at Freshfield station hits disabled residents

Jan 8 2013 by Tom Duffy, Formby Times

Closure of level crossing at Freshfield station hits disabled residents

FORMBY’S disabled residents have been inconvenienced again by the closure of Freshfield station’s level crossing.

A cone appeared over a hole in Victoria Road on Christmas Day, and the crossing was closed within days.

United Utilities confirmed they were investigating a sewer problem, but could not say when the crossing would reopen.

The hole, which is yards from the station, has forced Network Rail to close the crossing on several occasions in recent years.

Wheelchair users cannot use the footbridge over the crossing.

Jonathan Daley, 23, who is disabled, told the Times that the closure of the crossing was particularly frustrating for him.

He said: “I live on Freshfield Road and cannot go and see my friends on the other side of the station.”

The problem has also affected around 30 residents at the Leonard Cheshire home, off Victoria Road.

Eric Cornwell, who is an activities manager at the home, said: “Many of our residents are quite independent, and are able to travel in to the village on their wheelchairs during the day.