Freshfield Station Level Crossing Closed again - Nightmare Detour for Drivers for a month!

Victoria Road Closure: 4 April – 5 May 2025

Formby drivers are once again facing long delays and frustrating detours as the Freshfield Station level crossing has been closed due to a recurring sinkhole beneath the tracks.

The closure, which began on Thursday 4th April at 12:36pm, is expected to last until Sunday 5th May at 11:59pm, and is being carried out by United Utilities Water. This marks the latest in a series of closures caused by the persistent underground river running beneath the rail line—an issue that continues to cause the ground to shift and collapse, creating hazardous sinkholes.

The level crossing on Victoria Road, a key route linking shoreside, has now become something of a regular victim of this underground instability. And while work is currently underway, the impact on traffic and travel is once again being felt hard by locals.

The nightmare? There’s no quick alternative.

With Victoria Road out of action, drivers are being forced to either:

• Take diversion via Formby Bridge, which often gets congested

• Use the Ravenmeols Lane level crossing, which isn’t ideal for many residents, especially during peak times.

The repeated closures have become a major headache for commuters, delivery drivers, and even emergency services navigating the area.

Despite no specific work description being published, the ongoing activity is officially logged under “Utility Repair and Maintenance Works”. While the project has been granted a permit and is marked as “in progress,” residents are left wondering how many more times this issue will return—and whether a long-term fix is even possible.

As always, we’ll keep you updated on the progress, but in the meantime, plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and bring a little patience—it looks like Formby’s favourite sinkhole isn’t going away any time soon.