Pedestrians walking towards Bolton-le-Sands level crossing can now do so in safety because Network Rail has built a brand new pavement so they don’t have to walk in the road. The pavement is part of a £5m project to renew three level crossings in the Morecambe area, which is almost complete now that 1970s equipment has been replaced.

Bare Lane, Hest Bank and Bolton-le-Sands level crossings all have brand new barriers and motors to raise and lower them, red and amber road traffic lights and audible warning systems. The approach roads to Bare Lane and Hest bank crossings have also been resurfaced.

All that remains to be done is to transfer responsibility for working the level crossings to the power signal box in Preston, which will monitor them using CCTV. Bare Lane will be the first to be transferred so it will be necessary to close the crossing to road vehicles from 9.25 pm on Friday 7 December until it reopens at 5.45 am on Monday 10 December.

Although closed to road vehicles, pedestrians will still be able to use the crossing. Once the transfer is completed, Bare Lane signal box will be closed and Network Rail is considering either transferring the building to another part of the country where it can be put to good use, or offering it to heritage railways.

Similar work will be needed in the New Year at Hest Bank and Bolton-le-Sands, both of which are on the busy west coast main line, and Network Rail is finalising the details before publicising road closure dates.