The family of a teenager who took his own life has won its campaign for safety improvements at the site where he died.
Kayden Cantlow died after being hit by a train on the railway line near St Dominic’s Bridge in Colchester. He was just 14.
It happened just days before the first anniversary of his mother Michelle’s death from cancer.
Colchester councillors Mike Hogg, David King and Helen Chuah had pressed Colchester Council to improve the fencing around the bridge which is also known as the Blue Bridge.
The metal fencing, which currently stands at 6ft in height, is being replaced by 8ft fencing to make it more difficult to access the railway line with the works expected to be completed by council workers today.
The family began the campaign for safety improvements and also worked to raise awareness of mental health.
Kayden’s brother Francis began lobbying for improvements to the bridge and collected more than 5,000 signatures on a petition.
Two boards giving information about how to contact the Samaritans have also been installed at the site.
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Kayden’s dad Vincent said he was grateful for the councillors’ efforts and added although extra fencing would not prevent the causes of suicide, it could give someone an extra 24 hours which could save their life.
He said: “I can’t praise them enough for what they’ve done.
“All we want is another family not having to go through what we’ve gone through.
“If ending things is already in your mindset, you might do it another way – but it might delay someone for 24 hours and in that time they might talk to someone about what they’re going through.”
It took a joint effort from the Cantlow family, as well as the councillors to work with Colchester MP Will Quince, Colchester Council, Railtrack and Network Rail to have the new fencing installed.
Mr King said: “We know enough about suicide to know it’s often of a moment and if that moment is made more difficult, then the moment might pass.”
Mr Hogg said: “Anything that stops people and gets them to think, and pushes them away, has to be a good thing.
“We decided we would put money in from our locality budget to pay for the extra fencing, which cost £1,700. We put £1,000 in to match the borough’s contribution."
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