Plumpton Level Crossing wheel-operated gates to be retained

[Cletus]

News release from Network Rail:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...about-plans-to-reopen-plumpton-level-crossing

14/10/15
Network Rail will be holding a public meeting chaired by Maria Caulfield MP on Friday October 16 to update residents on plans to reopen the level crossing in Plumpton.

Members of the Network Rail team will be on hand to answer questions and update residents on the proposed plans between 6pm and 7.30pm at Plumpton Racecourse. There is no need for local residents to book a place and all are welcome.

Plans to replace the current level crossing, including removing the current listed gates, were rejected by Lewes District Council’s Planning Committee on 30th September. Unfortunately, by this time other work to upgrade the signalling at the level crossing site had already taken place, meaning that the original level crossing cannot, for safety reasons, be reopened immediately without additional works being undertaken.

Steve Knight, Network Rail Area Director, said: “We are sorry that we are continuing to cause disruption to local residents and the community at Plumpton. Our priority in the short term is to reopen the level crossing in Plumpton as soon as possible; we can only do this when we have safe way to do this that Lewes District Council support. We will be outlining these plans on Friday evening as well as explaining why it is not possible to immediately reinstate the crossing and why the crossing, in its original state poses an unacceptable safety risk.”

Maria Caulfield, Member of Parliament for Lewes said: “It’s important that Network Rail finds a solution to this problem as soon as possible. The residents of Plumpton Green are understandably upset by the disruption caused by the closure and they want answers. Network Rail however has a responsibility to ensure that the crossing at Plumpton is safe for all who use it. I hope the meeting on Friday will give both sides an opportunity to discuss the options available, allowing us to find a solution and reopen the road as soon as possible.”

If residents have a personal mobility requirement and will struggle to attend the meeting we would ask that they contact james.bates@networkrail.co.uk as soon as possible.

For further information about the project, residents can contact Network Rail’s 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The drop-in session will take place from 6pm till 7.30pm at Plumpton Racecourse, East Sussex BN7 3AL.
If travelling by vehicle please arrive from the direction of Lewes, approaching from the south on Plumpton Lane.
Attached are photographs that highlight why the level crossing poses a high safety risk.
Picture 1 - The gates not closing fully.
Picture 2 - Worn gate locking mechanism.
There are approximately 6,100 level crossings in Britain. Level crossings were built with the Victorian railway more than 100 years ago when there were far fewer trains, travelling at slower speeds and fewer people and road traffic. If the railway were being built today, level crossings would not be used.
There are many different types of crossings, all with different safety measures in place from signs, to barriers and klaxons. See http://www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossings/types-of-level-crossing/.
There were eight pedestrian fatalities and two road vehicle fatalities at level crossings in 2014/15.
At seven, the number of collisions between trains and road vehicles was below the 10-year average of 11 per year.
Network Rail is investing £100m in the next four years to reduce risk at level crossings and improve safety. The ongoing programme of activity includes:
Network Rail’s dedicated community safety team which aims to reduce railway crime
Level crossing closure programme which has seen more than 900 closed over the past six years
Investment in upgrading and improving level crossings
Mobile camera enforcement vans
Developing better and cost-effective ways of detecting and recording level crossings misuse

 

[infobleep]

News release from Network Rail:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...about-plans-to-reopen-plumpton-level-crossing

With hindsight would it have been better for Network Rail to do the works once the council agreed the level crossing gates removal, rather than before? Had they done so I get the impression it would have meant the gates could remain in use.

However whose to say Network Rail were not expecting this to be a simple rubber stamp approval. Perhaps that was the indications before the planning meeting.

Of of interest, does anyone know how many level crossings remain? I hadn't released so many had been closed in the last six years.

If anyone living in the area is going to the meeting, be interesting to hear what was said.

 

[Bald Rick]

Of of interest, does anyone know how many level crossings remain? I hadn't released so many had been closed in the last six years.

Ooh, approximately 6,100 I reckon

 

[Tio Terry]

With hindsight would it have been better for Network Rail to do the works once the council agreed the level crossing gates removal, rather than before? Had they done so I get the impression it would have meant the gates could remain in use.

However whose to say Network Rail were not expecting this to be a simple rubber stamp approval. Perhaps that was the indications before the planning meeting.

Of of interest, does anyone know how many level crossings remain? I hadn't released so many had been closed in the last six years.

If anyone living in the area is going to the meeting, be interesting to hear what was said.

No really, the condition of the mechanical components meant the gates were not locking properly. They left gaps, when across the railway, so large a child of around 14 - let alone a toddler - could easily have gained access to the railway from the crossing and come in contact with the live rail. They were just not safe to continue using.

Of course, having been signed out of use they can only be signed back after successful testing, and the testing was not successful.

 

[swt_passenger]

However whose to say Network Rail were not expecting this to be a simple rubber stamp approval. Perhaps that was the indications before the planning meeting.

That's exactly what happened, if you follow the earlier linked letter to residents, (the one you didn't read at the time it was posted), the local authority's full time professional officers had recommended approval. SO NR cracked on expecting the elected committee to follow suit...

 

[infobleep]

That's exactly what happened, if you follow the earlier links the local authority's full time professional officers had recommended approval. SO NR cracked on expecting the elected committee to follow suit...

Unfortunately that particular document opens up the wrong app on my mobile so I've not yet viewed it. Not sure why as all other PDFs open correctly. I might try opening it directly from one of my PDF readers rather than trying to open it from the downloads folder.

It did cross my mind that perhaps councilors had disagreed with recommendations. Working for a local council myself I know this can happen, although not experienced this myself though.

 

[Henbury Loop]

Oh boy will that be a rather hostile meeting.

 

[Bald Rick]

You can hear the pitchforks being sharpened now...

 

[aylesbury]

Read about this and wondered if the council realised how bad the gates were. The station is grade 2 listed but the gates obviously are not fit for purpose. Hopefully sense will prevail.

There was a similar occasion in Essex when the gates had to be replaced in Frinton. People protested and eventually had to give in.

 

[infobleep]

I've now read the original document shared.

I'm sure the meeting will be interesting. Network Rail will probably give their presentation and then the MP, councilors and the public will question them and perhaps bring up what they consider to be faults with their plan or what they wish to do.

I can see the point of view from both sides. The locals or some of them what to preserve their rural character and history and the others want a more efficient and safe railway.

I wonder if the former drive around in Austin 7 Box Car Salons? Those cars were around in the 1930s and are my favourite cars. Not that I own one. They were once part of regular life for some, just like wheel operated crossing gates were part of life for some.

 

[marks87]

No really, the condition of the mechanical components meant the gates were not locking properly. They left gaps, when across the railway, so large a child of around 14 - let alone a toddler - could easily have gained access to the railway from the crossing and come in contact with the live rail. They were just not safe to continue using.

When you say "across the railway", do you mean when open for road traffic?

If so, what's to stop someone gaining access to the railway - and the third rail - from a modern barrier crossing?

 

[Tio Terry]

When you say "across the railway", do you mean when open for road traffic?

If so, what's to stop someone gaining access to the railway - and the third rail - from a modern barrier crossing?

Yes, open to Road Traffic.

AHB's etc. have trespass guards, usually triangular pieces of wood which are laid in such a way they are difficult to walk on. They are designed to keep large animals and two legged walkers out.

 

[bengley]

Yes, open to Road Traffic.

AHB's etc. have trespass guards, usually triangular pieces of wood which are laid in such a way they are difficult to walk on. They are designed to keep large animals and two legged walkers out.

Uh, so, can't they just install those?

They use about a tenner's worth of wood from B&Q...

 

[carriageline]

I'm sorry, but network rail want all signalling controlled from the ROCs (don't start on that!!) I can't see them leaving one crossing box open to appease a small number of residents.

I also can't see them making a bespoke one off crossing to appease them, that makes a logistical nightmare.

 

[Tio Terry]

Uh, so, can't they just install those?

They use about a tenner's worth of wood from B&Q...

Well, yes, but I think you are missing the point. The mechanical elements of the gates controlling system are fast approaching the point where they will allow a gate - or gates - to swing free when they are in either of the positions. So a gate could swing free when closed to rail traffic and obstruct the highway or swing free when closed to rail traffic. I'm sure you can understand the consequences of either situation.

 

[N Levers]

https://mobile.twitter.com/BBCSussex/status/655291734885277696

BBC Sussex–*‏@BBCSussex

Network Rail WILL remove the Grade 2 listed level crossing gates at #Plumpton & replace them with a modern barrier. They'll go next weekend.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

https://mobile.twitter.com/BBCSussex/status/655291734885277696

Network Rail have appealed the decision, and in the interim, agreement has been reached to remove and store the listed gates until the outcome of the appeal allows their removal, or a new planning application is agreed with the local authority.

 

[BRblue]

This is becoming a bit of a farce now...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-34559808

600 people sign a petition to re-open the crossing as soon as possible, so Network Rail will remove the gates and store them as an interim solution enabling them to re-open the crossing.
But that's not good enough for the local council, who have threatened to prosecute Network Rail if they do so. What do these people want?
In this instance Network Rail are damned if they do or damned if they don't,
if it was left up to me I would leave the gates in place and they can have a 6 mile detour instead! What a joke!

 

[D1009]

In this instance Network Rail are damned if they do or damned if they don't,

As in many other instances.

 

[Chrisgr31]

Network Rail assumed they would get planning consent and went ahead with the works and now have a problem and cant go backwards[. Most people wouldnt be happy if a developer had done this to a Listed Building.

In this day and age surely its possible to build replica crossing gates that look like the originals but have modern safety standards in them whilst being cheaper and easier to maintain?

As a matter of interest though what are the safety records of the old crossings compared to the new ones? We might assume the old ones are safer as there is a person there so people are less inclined to jump them.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

This is becoming a bit of a farce now...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-34559808

600 people sign a petition to re-open the crossing as soon as possible, so Network Rail will remove the gates and store them as an interim solution enabling them to re-open the crossing.
But that's not good enough for the local council, who have threatened to prosecute Network Rail if they do so. What do these people want?
In this instance Network Rail are damned if they do or damned if they don't,
if it was left up to me I would leave the gates in place and they can have a 6 mile detour instead! What a joke!

The level crossing gates aren't actually listed, according to Lewes District Council and this is confirmed with the Historic England db entry, so I don't think LDC can do anything to prevent their removal, as long as nothing is done to the signal box, which is listed.

The installation of modern barriers that are out of keeping with the nature of the surrounding area would be an issue, but Network Rail's powers under the Town and County Planning Acts (and successive Acts) normally take precedence over listed building consents.

I would expect Network Rail's lawyers are reasonably certain there's a watertight case here and that LDC are wasting their time.

 

[Henbury Loop]

They have only gone and got an injunction against NR now!

http://m.theargus.co.uk/news/138860...ail_from_working_on_Victorian_level_crossing/

 

[Bald Rick]

In this day and age surely its possible to build replica crossing gates that look like the originals but have modern safety standards in them whilst being cheaper and easier to maintain?

A gate is a gate.

 

[Llanigraham]

A gate is a gate.

Not at a level crossing!!

I wonder if the residents of Plumpton and Lewes realise how much this is costing them and how much it is also delaying NR from sorting the problem.

 

[Bald Rick]

Not at a level crossing!!

I wonder if the residents of Plumpton and Lewes realise how much this is costing them and how much it is also delaying NR from sorting the problem.

I suspect the residents of Plumpton do, but the elected members of Lewes District Council perhaps are doing their constituents a disservice.

 

[Domh245]

Reading through the comments section of that article, it would seem a few residents are irritated by the action of Lewes Council

Well dones Lewes District Council, the crossing will now remain closed for the rest of eternity. Rail has priority over road. Network Rail has the trains running, so they are happy, and not bothered if the crossing never reopens, so who is suffering ? Oh yes, us, the motoring public, Iam not much interested what barrier they put up, and they can burn the gates for all I care, I, and many other people would just like the crossing re-instated.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

And people wonder how costs for things like electrification are rising. Idiot councillors trying their luck against Network Rail doesn't help.

NR are bulldozing half of Stephenson's railway station to build a new railway line in Manchester, nobody is going to save a broken set of level crossing gates, no matter how much trouble you cause in the process, LDC.

 

[Townsend Hook]

The situation seems to have simply ended up as a few LDC councillors trying to prove they are bigger than Network Rail..

 

[richa2002]

I'm quite enjoying this display of people power. Usually everyone bends over and let's their heritage be destroyed without even blinking.

 

[yorksrob]

If only Lewes Councillors had been this determined not to have their railway torn up in 1969!