Somerset County Council and Network Rail are to meet to discuss the safety of a train crossing on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea following the death of a Burnham man last month.
Martin Robert Handel, aged 47, from Burnham High Street, was pronounced dead on the tracks near to the town’s Home Farm Holiday Park on July 24th, as reported here, after he was struck by a train travelling from Bristol Temple Meads to Plymouth.
This week, Elizabeth Kulh, spokeswoman for Somerset County Council, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Although there is no problem with the Right of Way at the level crossing, we intend to meet with Network Rail to discuss this incident further.”
It comes after the owner of Home Farm Holiday Park, which runs alongside the crossing, said he has concerns about the safety of the crossing, as reported here.
A spokeswoman for Network Rail added: “The crossing is a public right of way and it will require permission and support from local authorities and the community-at-large respectively to close it. We also welcome any opportunities to formally discuss this matter with the holiday park to explore their support in providing alternative route.”
West Somerset coroner Michael Rose said that an inquest into Mr Handel’s death had been opened and adjourned. He was born in Bridgwater but his most recent address was at the High Street in Burnham-On-Sea.
