Path over railway line to shut due to safety fears

Young people "lingering" on a path over a rail crossing contribute to plans to close it

A railway line level crossing has become a "risk to public safety", officials have warned, with quieter and more frequent trains prompting plans to close a public path.

CCTV footage has also captured young people "lingering on the tracks" between Van Road and Cefn Carnau Lane east of Caerphilly town centre.

A dog walker - seen wearing headphones - was also spotted "turning back, retracing their steps for no apparent reason".

"Hearing oncoming trains at a distance will be more difficult following the change from diesel to electric [trains]," said a Caerphilly council report.

Another CCTV image shows a child squatting down on the railway track

It said Transport for Wales' new South Wales Metro means "the electrification and modernisation of the Cardiff to Rhymney railway line and service".

"This modernisation will increase the frequency of trains, and replace older, diesel trains with newer, electric variants."

More modern trains "have a higher rate of acceleration and deceleration and could reach line speeds at the level crossing where diesel trains may presently be at lower speeds".

The line speed at the crossing is 60mph for trains travelling towards Caerphilly, and 65mph towards Cardiff.

Timetable changes also mean more trains will be travelling on the line, with 124 daily vehicles set to rise to 216.

Councillors agreed to close the path, with pedestrians expected to be diverted via another route, probably a nearby road bridge which spans the railway line.

Caerphilly council rights of way cabinet committee said the electrification of the railway line, the introduction of more modern trains, and more frequent services all justified the closure of the footpath.