Crossing to remain closed after boy hit by train

The closure of a footpath level crossing has been extended for a further 12 months after a 14-year-old boy was fatally struck by a train.

Josh Travis died when he was hit by the train in Burton Joyce on 26 November 2025.

An emergency closure of the public footpath over Chestnut Grove level crossing was granted after Josh's death, initially for 21 days before being extended by six months.

That closure was due to expire on Tuesday, but Nottinghamshire County Council has extended it for a further year up to 26 May 2027.

A consultation on whether to permanently close the footpath level crossing had opened days before Josh's death, after Network Rail had applied to the county council to close it on safety grounds in March 2025.

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

In an update on Friday, Network Rail said its application for the permanent closure of the crossing "continues to progress through the formal legal processes".

"This application is currently at the second stage of public consultation," a spokesman said.

"Following this, we will review all representations made to inform our next steps."

Bert Bingham, county council cabinet member for transport and environment, said the authority was continuing to work with Network Rail over the footpath's future.

"A notice has also been published to permanently close the level crossing, and will be referred on to the Secretary of State for Transport to appoint an inspector and initiate a public inquiry to determine the longer-term future of the crossing," he said.

"Our thoughts remain with Joshua's family and friends and all those affected by the tragic incident."

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