Talks held over closure of Melton railway station footpath

Passengers were angered by the locking of a gate which prevents use of the path which leads from the station and continues around the borough council offices.

Network Rail say they closed the path because an adjacent car park is no longer being used after the council did not renew its lease for it.

Several passengers have been spotted vaulting the gate to save having to make a longer walk to and from the station along the main council access which runs parallel with Burton Street.

Some have posted on social media that not being able to use the footpath has led to them missing trains.

A joint-statement released to the Melton Times by Network Rail and Melton Borough Council this afternoon (Tuesday) reads: “The land next to Melton Mowbray station car park, which is owned by Network Rail, was previously leased to Melton Borough Council.

“The lease has not been renewed and the car park is not currently in use, so Network Rail has secured the area.

“We understand that the permissive footpath is popular with residents and we are working together to assess whether it is possible to reopen the path and restore access for the community.”

Melton MP Alicia Kearns expressed concerns about the issue, commenting on her Facebook page: “This appears to have been done without warning to the public, or even any signage, and is potentially extremely dangerous with reports of people climbing over fences.”

The borough council say it will put up signage to explain the changes while talks continue over reopening the path.