File:319220 approaches Pilgrims Way Footpath Crossing 2E28 (16210452988).jpg

According to Network Rail the Pilgrims Way Railway Crossing (number 1699) on footpath SR49 between Tudor Drive and Evelyn Road, Otford has a risk of C3 apparently putting it in the top 50 most risky footpath crossings in the country (out of approximately 5,500 footpath crossings) according to Network Rail's All Level Crossing Risk Model (ALCRM) risk engine that includes the frequency of trains (164 per day), the speed of trains, the frequency of use by pedestrians (81 per day) based on a 30-minute census conducted during an off-peak period between 0930 and 1630 on weekdays, low sighting times and new housing developments. Two scores are produced by the model. One is the ‘individual risk’ to crossing users ranging from A to M where A is the most risky and M is the least risky. The other is the collective risk for all users including passengers and train drivers, the score ranging from 1 to 13 where 1 is the most risky. The collective risk score (3) is said to be the more important of the two. This crossing is well within 200 metres of 2 alternative crossings so according to Network Rail the short footpath and crossing are a prime candidate for closure to meet their risk reduction targets at minimal expense.

Network Rail have proposed 2 alternative options: (1). To install a footbridge over the crossing at the current location of the foot crossing. Or the cheaper option. (2). To close and divert footpath SR49 across the station car park, along both Otford station platforms and across the station footbridge.

Expecting option 2 to be taken I made the effort to get some photographs here while it is still possible. Personally I believe that the nearby footpath crossing at Seal near the parish church rated C4 is considerably more dangerous/risky despite fewer trains and users and should have been closed long before this one.

Here Thameslink's class 319 dual-voltage electric multiple-unit (EMU) number 319220 (previously 319020) comprised of 77329, 62910, 71791 and 77328 built by BREL York in 1987 or 1988 works 2E28 from Sevenoaks to Blackfriars on 29 January 2015 using 750 V direct current (DC) third rail.

According to Realtime Trains the route and timings were; Sevenoaks [SEV] 4..........1230.........................1229 3/4....................RT Otford Junction[XOT].....1235.........................1235 1/2.....................RT Swanley [SAY] 1................1247 1/2/1248 1/2..1248 1/2/1248 3/4...RT St Mary Cray Junction....1254 1/2..................1254 1/2.....................RT Bickley Junction[XLY].....1255 1/2..................1255...........................RT Bromley South [BMS] 1...1259/1300..............1258 3/4/1259 3/4..RT Shortlands [SRT]..............1302/1302 1/2........1301 1/2/1302...........RT Shortlands Junction........1303 1/2..................1303...........................RT Bellingham [BGM]............1308 1/2/1309........1308 1/4/1309..........RT Catford [CTF] 1..................1311/1312..................1310/1311.....................1E Nunhead [NHD] 1.............1316 1/2/1317...........1316 3/4/1317 1/2......RT Peckham Rye [PMR] 3....1319/1320...............1319/1320 1/4...........RT Crofton Road Junction...1321..........................1322 1/4......................1L Denmark Hill [DMK] 3.....1322/1324...............1322/1323..................1E Elephant & Castle 3.........1329/1330...............1329 1/4/1329 3/4...RT