VILLAGERS turned out at the weekend to protest against the ‘temporary’ seven months closure of a well used footpath across the railway line in Cononley.

About 100 adults and children, split into Covid safe groups, gathered by the path, which was closed by Network Rail towards the end of last year, and waved banners calling for it to be reopened without delay.

Network Rail has said it closed the footpath because of safety concerns to do with the ‘inadequacy’ of some train horns not being loud enough to warn those crossing the line. It said work to clear vegetation to improve visibility had to be suspended because of nesting birds and will be resumed as soon as possible.

Villagers say they have been told the footpath will be reopened in August and will be making sure it happens. They also want a long term solution by the company and are calling on North Yorkshire County Council to defend their rights to walk the route.

Craven district ward councillor, Andy Brown, said it was wrong that a well used footpath was closed because the horns of some trains were deemed not loud enough.

“There is a fantastic network of public footpaths around Cononley. Yet North Yorkshire County Council seems to have little interest in keeping them open.

“A rail company has been allowed to close a much used route for months simply because someone bought very expensive trains with very cheap horns. We want our footpath re-opened and a proper safe traffic light system installed to permanently fix the problem.”

Resident, Emma Slater, said the well attended protest sent out a strong message to Network Rail that the people of Cononley were concerned and wanted the issue resolved now and not later.

“My understanding is that Network Rail are confident they can remedy the problem by cutting back vegetation, but what is their alternative course of action if it doesn’t work? And if it does work they will need to maintain the vegetation to stop the problem reoccurring.

“The delay caused by nesting birds should have been avoided as the crossing has been closed since last winter. Until the crossing is reopened, hundreds of people every week are being forced to walk on a busy, narrow road, with very limited visibility, long stretches with no footpath and a history of problems with speeding drivers.

“I understand Network Rail’s position regarding the safety issue with the crossing but it has now been replaced by a safety issue of pedestrians being put into conflict with traffic. The alternative route to the footpath and crossing is simply not safe.”

Olly Glover, Head of Safety, Health and Environment for Network Rail’s North and East Route, has said the crossing was initially closed for safety reasons, relating to concerns about the adequacy of the sound made by some trains’ warning horns which use the line.

“Work was started to clear vegetation to improve visibility on the crossing but was paused because it ran into the bird nesting season. We hope to resume work as soon the nesting season is over later in the year and look to re-open the crossing upon completion of the vegetation clearance works.”

Michael Leah, North Yorkshire County Council's Assistant Director for Travel and Environment, said: "We appreciate the frustration that this closure is causing, however, Network Rail has requested a formal temporary closure of a public right of way for public safety reasons.

"The correct process has been followed which has subsequently been authorised by the Secretary of State. There is a diversion in place and we understand that Network Rail intend to undertake works in August to enable the route to reopen before the expiration of the temporary closure period."