barrow crossing

English[edit]

barrow crossing (plural barrow crossings)

(rail transport, UK) A crossing provided between railway platforms across the tracks at rail level, originally for movement of barrows loaded with parcels, mailbags, etc. from one platform to another. Many have now been removed, but some have been retained for use by passengers, especially wheelchair users. Originally crossings were boarded, but paving is now used.
- 1951 October, “The Why and the Wherefore: Milk Platform at Beccles”, in Railway Magazine, page 717:
  As the ends of the up and down platforms are not opposite each other, it is not possible to provide the ordinary type of barrow crossing, and the full churns were too heavy to be man-handled up and down the stairs of the footbridge.