Survivors of rail disaster welcome Ufton Nervet bridge opening

Twelve years after the tragedy on the Ufton Nervet level-crossing in Berkshire, a new road bridge over the railway line finally opens today.

Seven people died and more than 100 were injured in the crash on 6 November 2004 when a motorist parked his car on the tracks in the path of an oncoming train.

Since then, there have been four further fatal incidents on the crossing, and a long campaign by survivors of the crash and local residents.

Today, scores of people gathered to officially open the new road bridge.

The first car will drive across it at 3pm.

Work began to replace the level crossing in April, after West Berkshire councillors unanimously backed the 8 million pound project, saying it was long overdue.

Among those who've campaigned is Jane Hawkins, one of 120 people injured when the train derailed.

She said today, 'It's a form of closure and personally I feel that I might start to be able to go on trains again which I haven't been able to do until now.'