Level crossing under review when boy hit by train

A consultation on whether to permanently close a footpath level crossing opened days before a 14-year-old boy was fatally struck by a train.

Josh Travis died when he was struck by a train in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire, on Wednesday.

Network Rail had applied to Nottinghamshire County Council to close the Chestnut Grove level crossing on safety grounds in March, warning it posed a "very real risk of serious incident" and reporting a series of near-misses.

As part of the application to "extinguish the public right of way", the county council confirmed it opened the consultation on 20 November.

The council said it was "working closely with Network Rail" and helping the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) with its investigation.

Josh's death is not being treated as suspicious, and the RAIB has said it is conducting a "preliminary examination".

The county council agreed to an emergency closure on Thursday, which it said was initially in place for 21 days.

A document submitted as part of the application from Network Rail to the council said there was a "very real risk of a serious incident at Chestnut Grove level crossing if it remains open".

The report confirmed that, as of March 2025, there had been 19 near-misses at the crossing since 2020.

It added a near-miss in this instance was an event in which the train driver had to apply the emergency brake for fear of hitting a person who was crossing.

"Misuse occurs on a daily basis and it is only a matter of time before a person is hit at the crossing," it stated.

The report detailed Network Rail had submitted "repeated applications" to the county council to temporarily stop the public right of way over the crossing to remove the risk to users while permanent solutions were explored.

Mark Budden, Network Rail's route director in the East Midlands, said: "The level crossing is a public right of way, and Network Rail does not have the legal powers to close it - that decision rests with the local highways authority and needs a formal application and public consultation.

"We submitted an application in spring this year to close the level crossing on safety grounds, and the council had recently launched a public consultation for this."

Bert Bingham, the council's cabinet member for transport and environment, said Network Rail originally requested a temporary closure of the path at the rail crossing.

Meetings between the county council, parish council and Network Rail then resulted in recommendations being put forward to keep the crossing open, "with a number of safety improvements", Bingham added.

Bingham confirmed Network Rail later made an application to permanently close the crossing, leading to the current consultation.

"Whilst safety is one of our highest priorities, we also know just how important this path is to many local people - dog walkers, families, and older residents who rely on this important connection," he said.

"This consultation runs until 22 December and aims to ensure that every stakeholder's perspective is heard and considered before any final decision is made.

"Our heartfelt sympathies are with Josh's family and friends as well as with the wider community that has been deeply affected by this devastating incident."

Tributes, including dozens of floral messages, have since been left at the level crossing, while Nottingham Forest paid tribute to Josh - a former academy player at the club - before their game against Brighton on Sunday.

Carlton le Willows Academy, the school he attended, said he "was an integral part of our school community", adding it would be paying its own tribute to him "in the coming days".

"His absence will be felt deeply by his friends and by all of us," said principal Jaspal Mehat.

"This news has been very upsetting for our school community and professional support will be available for any student who needs it, now or in the coming days and weeks.

"We have seen the many tributes that have already been placed in the community, which is a testament to how much Josh meant to those around him."