A long-awaited £3million crossing over a railway will be up and running in time for Christmas.

A walkway over the old rail crossing in Stone, which connects St Mary’s Road and Elizabeth Street, will be put up over the weekend of Saturday, December 9, and Sunday, December 10, subject to the weather.

The bridge will bring an end to numerous issues with the current Network Rail-operated level crossing, which has closed on a number of occasions due to staff shortages forcing those wanting to walk across the tracks to take a 10-minute detour.

The situation was branded dangerous by chairman of Stone Parish Council, John Burrell, who criticised Network Rail for a failure to address the problem.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson also raised concerns.

Network Rail upped staff numbers last September to combat the issue but after coming under increasing pressure assured users they would staff Stone Crossing station permanently at night so passengers did not have to detour along dark footpaths.

The announcement of the bridge project was welcomed by Cllr Burrell who said: “It is fantastic news that work on the new footbridge at Stone Crossing station is now under way.

“The council has pushed for the installation of a footbridge for many years, and we are all very pleased that it should be finished by Christmas.

“The footbridge will greatly improve safety around the station and will put an end to people missing their trains due to the crossing being shut.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “The bridge is being installed to allow us to close this high risk level crossing and means access between platforms will always be available.

“At the moment the gates are locked when a train is approaching meaning people could miss their trains while they come into the opposite platform.”