A HAMPSHIRE level crossing is to close in a bid to cut deaths and serious injuries on the railways.

The crossing off Sutherlands Way, Chandler’s Ford, is set to be replaced by a footbridge after it was revealed that people were frequently taking unnecessary risks to cross the line.

Closure the crossing is part of a nationwide programme by Network Rail to stop the number of fatalities on train tracks.

Eastleigh Borough Council wants to keep the link between Chandler’s Ford and Valley Park open, and has given the go-ahead for the proposed plans.

With the council looking for people to cross the busy track in a safer manner, residents were invited to look at the plans and raise any issues at a drop-in session on Saturday.

Chandler’s Ford East councillor Pamela Holden-Brown said there may be people who opposed the plan but the overall safety of residents was the main focus.

She said: “This development will aid in reducing the risk of someone being killed by an oncoming train, and the footbridge will increase the safety of people.

“There will be some people who have concerns, mainly those with wheelchairs or mums with pushchairs.”

Although there has never been a fatality at the crossing, Network Rail has found that people were frequently putting themselves in danger by misusing the crossing.

However it is also committed to maintaining a route between Chandler’s Ford and Valley Park so suggested installing a footbridge instead.

Alex Boatfield, from Network Rail, said: “Every time a footpath or a road meets the railway, there is a risk and it is our aim to reduce this as much as we can.

“We believe the new footbridge offers the safest option for the community to cross the railway.”