Closure of crossing extended after boy hit by train

The closure of a footpath level crossing has been extended by six months after a 14-year-old boy was fatally struck by a train in Nottinghamshire.

Josh Travis died when he was hit by the train in Burton Joyce on 26 November. His death is not being treated as suspicious, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

Network Rail confirmed on Thursday that the public footpath over Chestnut Grove level crossing had been extended until 26 May.

A consultation on whether to permanently close the footpath level crossing had opened days before Josh's death, after Network Rail had applied to Nottinghamshire County Council to close it on safety grounds in March.

The rail body had warned it posed a "very real risk of serious incident" and reported a 19 near-misses from 2020 until March this year.

As part of the application to "extinguish the public right of way", the county council confirmed it opened the consultation on 20 November.

An emergency closure was agreed the day after Josh's death. This closure, which was initially in place for 21 days, has now been extended.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) added it was conducting a preliminary examination.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "A temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) for the public footpath over Chestnut Grove level crossing has been approved by the local authority.

"This will come into effect on 18 December, immediately following the emergency closure period, and lasts until 26 May 2026.

"Our application for the crossing to be permanently closed will continue to follow the local authority's process in the meantime."

The county council added "further investigations will be undertaken by Network Rail and other stakeholders into long-term solutions".

In a statement shared by BTP, Josh's family said his death "leaves a gap in our lives that is and will always be impossible to fill".

"Josh was a lad with an incredible energy for life, an infectious and mischievous smile, kind sparkling eyes, and so much love to give," the statement said.

Other tributes, including dozens of floral messages, have since been left at the level crossing, while Nottingham Forest, where Josh was previously an academy player, held a minute's silence for him before a Premier League match with Brighton.

Carlton le Willows Academy, the school Josh attended, said he "was an integral part of our school community", adding "his absence will be felt deeply by his friends and by all of us".

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