The barrow crossing at the southern end of Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station was unique within the SCRCA. In addition to enabling passengers & staff to cross between the two platforms, it also served as a level crossing for a footpath that predates the construction of the Settle & Carlisle Railway (and the associated station).
In 2010, Network Rail began a long-term programme to reduce the level of risk posed by level crossings by either closing them, or upgrading them. The crossing at Horton was identified as being "one of the most high-risk crossings on the railway network" and, after considering alternative options (including the provision of warning lights & locked gates, the construction of a subway, and diverting the footpath), the construction of a footbridge was identified as the only viable & cost effective solution. To facilitate its construction, the level crossing at the south end of the station was closed and removed during the night of 2nd / 3rd March 2024 and a temporary replacement was opened at the north end of the station. The footbridge has since been built and opened for use (see Location ID 242495). However, the lifts linking the platforms with the footbridge have not yet been installed & commissioned, so the temporary crossing at the north end of the station has been retained for a few more months to provide step-free access for rail users.
