A busy rail crossing which has been the scene of several near misses and deaths in recent years has been closed due to safety concerns.

Simpsons Crossing at Bobbing, near Sittingbourne, has been shut temporarily so that Network Rail can review options to reopen it safely or find another way across the line.

There have been calls for action on the foot crossing, next to the A249 not far from the Bobbing Apple, for a number of years following rail line deaths and near misses.

In 2017, Network Rail released alarming footage of youngsters lying on the train tracks and taking photographs.

There has also been talk of major changes being made, including the installation of a red and green warning light system to make it safer, or it being replaced with a footbridge.

Speaking about the emergency closure, a Network Rail spokesman said: “We’re grateful to Kent County Council for their help in agreeing a temporary emergency closure of Simpsons Level Crossing at Bobbing.

“It follows a high number of recorded incidents, 53 over the past three years, many involving children and vulnerable users, which, with nearly 200 trains travelling through per day at high speeds, poses a danger to life.

“During this temporary closure we will be reviewing options to reopen the crossing safely or potentially finding another way across the line.

“While we realise some people will be inconvenienced by this action, safety has to be our priority.”

Kent County Councillor Mike Whiting, who serves Swale West, which includes Bobbing, said: “There can be no doubt that Simpsons Crossing is dangerous, and has been the site of seven near misses, and sadly two fatalities in recent years.

“Videos from the site have appeared to show young people playing ‘chicken’, staying on the line until the last minutes as high-speed trains approach.

“I had hoped that a replacement crossing using the adjacent A249 road bridge may have been possible, but Highways England appears to have ruled this out.

“Clearly the closure of the crossing will inconvenience some, but safety must come first and I will continue to work with Network Rail to find a solution.”

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