Demonstrators have gathered at a notorious railway crossing where a teenage girl was recently killed – to demand that train operators keep it open.

Sacha Wheeler was knocked down by a train at Whitstable’s Glebe Way foot crossing as a London-bound train travelled through at 50mph.

An inquest heard that the 14-year-old had been listening to music on her headphones and was tragically unaware of the oncoming train as she crossed.

Sacha’s devastated parents have called on Network Rail to close the crossing, but members of the community are campaigning against the proposal.

Around 20 local residents gathered at the site yesterday bearing placards. Co-organiser Chris Weller said: “We say do what they do in a lot of areas in this country where they have bells and lights.

“They have magnetic catches on the doors on the entrances of level crossings to stop people physically getting on to the tracks when a train is coming.

“We believe that with that sort of improvement that we can save lives and we can keep this crossing open for the people of the community.”

Network Rail revealed last month that it was to introduce a warning system at the crossing – where four people have died since 2010.

However, at a public consultation event held last week, the operator unveiled three longer-term options which involved closure of the foot crossing and possible installation of a bridge.

Mr Weller said: “We’re not against making this crossing safer – but we want to keep this

“The constraints of the site mean that this will not be a simple exercise and we are currently exploring a number of options to replace the crossing..." - Network Rail spokesman Dan Donovan

crossing.

“There’re 200 people that use this crossing every day – that’s 200 people that need this crossing to get to the other side of the tracks.

“And that’s 200 people that if it was closed or if they had to use step bridge may not be able to use it.

“That’s 200 people, some of them elderly, in wheelchairs or who have pushchairs or prams – that would be unable to use this crossing.”

Sasha’s parents have distanced themselves from the protest, having previously stated that the best way to ensure safety would be to close the crossing altogether.

Mr Weller said that the tragedy in February this year could have been avoided with a warning system.

“It was a tragic accident,” he said. “If there had been visual flashing lights at the time before she entered the level crossing I believe her life would have been saved.

“That is a small price that Network Rail should pay to keep our crossing open.”

Residents last week expressed anger at Network Rail’s proposed options.

Former Labour councillor Peter Halfpenny: “The only three options for discussion assumed the total closure of the crossing and its replacement by a bridge or in one case, a footpath leading to an existing bridge.

“It is clear that Network Rail have their own agenda for the future of the crossing, and that the consultation was really about trying lead us to accept an option which fits in with this agenda.

“It’s like being asked if we would rather have our left, or our right, arm cut off.”

Network Rail spokesman Dan Donovan admitted afterwards issues at the site were not easy to resolve.

“The constraints of the site mean that this will not be a simple exercise and we are currently exploring a number of options to replace the crossing.

“In the meantime, we are installing an additional audible warning system to help reduce risk at this crossing further.”

Mr Weller responded, suggesting the warning system would be enough.

“They say they’re going to put the lights up in December but why, if they’re going to modernise it and make it more safe, are they still looking to actually ultimately close the crossing?” he said.

“Those extra systems would be enough. If they’re going to do that and spend that money surely that’s doing everything that everybody needs and wants.”