Expired “Temporary Closure” to Footpath 11, Parish of Ancroft

Footpath 11 in the Parish of Ancroft crosses the ECML (East Coast Main Line) railway line. It was subjected to a “Temporary Closure” at the request of Network Rail. It is dated January 2024, with a twelve months notice of effect. Clearly out of date by now. I wrote to Network Rail in December with a copy to the NCC contact on the closure notice (I received an undeliverable notification from the NCC email address). Network Rail say it is a safety issue, which I understand, and will remain closed. I live at Goswick Station Cottages. We have to endure Northbound trains blowing their horn as a warning to the pedestrian crossing that is closed. Neighbours tell me that the footpath has been closed for approximately five years. There are tall fences across the footpath on both sides of the railway, the structures between the railway lines to allow easy access to pedestrians has been removed, the footpath on the eastern side of the railway line is massively overgrown and access would be almost impossible. To the casual observer there is no crossing there. The footpath appears to serve very little purpose as it is very remote with almost non existent pedestrian traffic in the area. There is no car parking available at either end of the closed section. Better options exist for pedestrian access to the beach at both Cheswick to the north and Goswick golf club to the south. We hope that Network Rail will remove the “Whistle Board” from outside our house so we are not disturbed by the noise of the horns from passing trains. We would hope that the Level Crossing Team at Network Rail would liaise in dialogue with NCC to confirm that this footpath be removed completely, so they can finally agree that the whistle board is no longer required.