Latvian Railways to close staff crossing at Jāņavārti station

Latvian Railways will close a staff-only crossing over the tracks at Jāņavārti railway station in Riga from October 14, the broadcaster LSM reported. The company says pedestrians were not permitted to use it.

Latvian Railways said people regularly crossed the tracks there despite warning signs, putting their lives and health at risk. Crossing the railway requires passing over at least 10 tracks, where trains run and locomotives manoeuvre, company spokeswoman Karīna Muktupaule said.

The closure will also inconvenience railway employees. The company says people can cross safely using the South Bridge or the pedestrian bridge near Daugmale station.

The City for People organisation said the suggested detours are more than two kilometres long and inaccessible to some people. It called for a pedestrian bridge to be restored or a tunnel to be built at Jāņavārti, and said that, until then, safe temporary options and detours that are lit, cleared of snow in winter and accessible to everyone are needed.