Travel · Rail, Channel & ferries · 29 October 2026
Coldblow level crossing near Walmer temporarily closed
Network Rail has announced the temporary closure of the Coldblow level crossing near Walmer following a series of dangerous incidents. The decision follows a near miss between a car and a bicycle, as well as other safety concerns. An appropriate diversionary route is in place while the crossing remains closed.
Network Rail has confirmed that the Coldblow level crossing near Walmer is temporarily closed due to dangerous misuse of the facility. The closure follows a recent incident in which a train had to apply emergency brakes to avoid a collision with a car, alongside a near miss involving a car and a bicycle. Vincent van der Hoeven, Head of Route Quality Health Safety & Environment for South Eastern Railway, stated: "Keeping the public safe is our priority, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to temporarily close Coldblow level crossing."
Figures published with the announcement show that around 25 vehicles use the crossing each day, while 60 trains use the line daily. During a nine-day observation period, 39 instances of motorcycles or electric scooters crossing through pedestrian gates were recorded. In the same timeframe, 138 occasions of dogs being off the lead were noted. South Eastern Railway’s specialist safety team will use the closure to assess options for improving safety at the site.
The temporary closure affects all users of the crossing, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. An appropriate diversionary route is in place to manage traffic and footfall while the site is shut. The announcement does not provide a specific date for when the crossing will reopen, noting only that the safety team will use the period to evaluate improvements.
Written by StreetOwl from Network Rail’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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