A notorious level crossing where four people have died in recent years looks set to be wiped off the map entirely.

Network Rail wants Glebe Way foot crossing in Whitstable, which is used by hundreds of people each day, to be removed following 33 incidents in the space of 18 years.

The recommended closure - backed by city councillor Ashley Clark and county councillor Mark Dance - will be discussed at a hearing less than two weeks’ time.

If shut, it will mean the nearest crossing for pedestrians would be about 200 metres west, heading away from Whitstable near to Alexandra Road.

Kent County County will discuss the proposals, and if approved, a further consultation will go out to residents. If strong objections are lodged and KCC do not change their verdict, the issue could then be open to a public inquiry.

News of the likely closure has angered former Labour councillor Peter Halfpenny.

“I appreciate there are safety concerns but visual and audible warnings are definitely sufficient,” he said.

“We have a little dog which we keep on a lead and parents with buggies and young children take care.

“I see no reason why it can’t be kept open.

“This is a public right of way which has been there for nearly 200 years. It makes little sense, surely at a time when people are encouraged to get out of their cars; walking and cycling should be encouraged.”

The intersection, which is a key link between the town centre and beach, takes an average of eight seconds to cross.

In 2015, 14-year-old schoolgirl Sacha Wheeler was killed at the crossing. A coroner ruled that the Simon Langton student had been listening to music on her headphones and was tragically unaware of the oncoming train as she crossed.

Cllr Clark is supportive of the route being fenced off.

He said: “The place has become a magnet for tragedy and the crossing is living in the days of steam trains.

“Here we have created a gap in the fence with unrestricted access - this makes a total nonsense of what we are trying to achieve. The existing bridge to the west is more than adequate for pedestrians to use instead.”

Last year, plans to build a caged bridge 53 metres further down the line were considered. The city council approved Network Rail’s proposals but the 72-stepped bridge, which had a lack of public support, has never been constructed.

A decision on the crossing will be taken at a meeting of KCC’s regulation committee member panel at The Belmont Ground from 2.30pm on Wednesday, September 26.