ALLOTMENT users have urged members of the public not to use their level crossing after a woman walking her dog was nearly hit by a train.

The 300 or so members of Trap Ground Allotments in North Oxford have a historic right to use the crossing but members of the public do not.

Last month a train driver was forced to apply the emergency brakes when a woman walking her dog – believed not to be an allotment holder – did not look before crossing and then failed to stop when he sounded the horn.

Network Rail said the driver was shaken and also urged non-allotment members not to use the crossing and for plot holders to take extra care following the incident.

The plot holders have been using the crossing for decades and advice on how to use it safely is circulated to all members.

Allotments chairman Tony Hollander said: “It seems it was someone who doesn’t know what they were doing and I’m not sure how they had access without a key.

“She was probably trying to reach the nature reserve but what was she doing just standing in the middle of the tracks? We have been using the crossing for decades and have never had an incident like it.

“There’s protocol on our website for how all our members use the level crossing and it has always been safe.”

Hayfield Road resident Jonathan Clark, who also has a plot, said: “We have a page on our website, which tells members how to use the crossing – it’s not been a problem for us and I will continue to use it.”

According to Network Rail only allotment members have authorised access to the crossing due to a “historic right”.

The issue of closing off the level crossing had already been considered in the 1990s and again in 2002 and on both occasions it remained open.

Mr Hollander, 79, said he had been fighting to keep it open for decades but finally accepted due to Network Rail’s work laying extra track for the new Marylebone link via Bicester that the battle was over.

The level crossing will close – as part of a nationwide closure programme to improve safety – once the work is completed.

The near miss was revealed in a Network Rail newsletter.

It said: “Fortunately the driver took evasive action and no-one was hurt but he was left shaken after what was an avoidable incident.”

The company urged allotment users to be extra vigilant and only use the crossing to access their plots.

The nearby Aristotle Lane footbridge needs to be raised to facilitate planned electrification of the line and Network Rail warned other pedestrians not to use the crossing but to stick to the diversion route through Port Meadow via Aristotle Lane and Walton Well Road.

The diversion will be in place until the work on the bridge is completed later this year.