Passengers using Thorne South station will find a fully accessible footbridge linking the platforms when the line reopens to rail services on 8 July. A temporary stepped structure which was installed in January to replace a level crossing has been replaced with a purpose-built bridge which has both steps and ramps.

Phil Verster, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: “We became concerned about misuse of the level crossing at Thorne South station after reports of pedestrians being involved with near misses.

“The temporary structure was brought in to allow us to close the level crossing. Shortly after that was installed we were forced to close the line to trains following a spoil heap slip at Hatfield Colliery. Our engineers have worked closely with local planning teams, Northern Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation to make sure that we had a permanent solution in place in time for the re-opening of the line.”

Richard Allan, Area Director at Northern Rail has welcomed the opening of the footbridge: “With services beginning to return to normal along the route to Thorne South station, it’s an excellent result to have this footbridge open and operational. It’s a fantastic improvement for our customers and reiterates our commitment to safety at our stations.”