Sturry level crossing issues (July 2026)

[alex397]

Seemingly it’s not causing issues to train services, but the barriers have failed two days in a row now on Sat 19th July and again today, Sunday 20th.

It’s a busy crossing, so it’s causing a lot of traffic issues and bus service disruption. Not helped by the usual diversionary road route via Shalloak Road being closed all summer. Buses have been stuck for hours because they generally cannot turn around.

People on local Facebook groups in Canterbury/Sturry reporting the following:

“Sturry Level Crossing has failed again. The lights are constantly on flashing red but the barriers aren't coming down. Traffic crossing at danger as trains are still running on the line”

Aswell as:

“When [the gates] come up, the lights are still flashing and people have been forcing under the gates whilst they are coming back down”

To be taken with a pinch of salt though, as anything should be on Facebook.

Obviously slightly worrying to hear, as drivers and pedestrians can do silly things when they have been stuck for ages, and if the lights/barriers are seemingly not being accurate.

 

[izvor]

As you say, it must be having a disastrous impact on buses, with 4bph to Margate and 5bph to Herne Bay in each direction, and no reasonable alternative route.

 

[zwk500]

Obviously slightly worrying to hear,

Very worrying to hear - it's vital for the safety and efficiency of both trains and road users that level crossing equipment functions properly.

as drivers and pedestrians can do silly things when they have been stuck for ages, and if the lights/barriers are seemingly not being accurate.

However, drivers and pedestrians do silly things when they are stuck for 3 seconds, regardless of the condition of the barriers/lights. Doesn't change the fact though that this is a serious issue.

Seemingly it’s not causing issues to train services, but the barriers have failed two days in a row now on Sat 19th July and again today, Sunday 20th.

Sunday and Monday or 18th and 19th?

 

[Belperpete]

Seemingly it’s not causing issues to train services, but the barriers have failed two days in a row now on Sat 19th July and again today, Sunday 20th.

It’s a busy crossing, so it’s causing a lot of traffic issues and bus service disruption. Not helped by the usual diversionary road route via Shalloak Road being closed all summer. Buses have been stuck for hours because they generally cannot turn around.

People on local Facebook groups reporting that
“Sturry Level Crossing has failed again. The lights are constantly on flashing red but the barriers aren't coming down. Traffic crossing at danger as trains are still running on the line”, and later
“When [the gates] come up, the lights are still flashing and people have been forcing under the gates whilst they are coming back down”
To be taken with a pinch of salt though, as anything should be on Facebook.

Obviously slightly worrying to hear, as drivers and pedestrians can do silly things when they have been stuck for ages, and if the lights/barriers are seemingly not being accurate.

The lights are supposed to keep flashing until the barriers have risen clear of the road. It sounds as though the detector that proves one of the barriers up might have failed, so the lights keep flashing thinking the barrier is still down. Unfortunately I don't think switching to manual control will override this. I think it needs the technicians to get there, which can be difficult if the traffic is in chaos. And if they then find they need a special part that they don't have in their van, and needs sourcing from somewhere.....

What type of crossing is it? Is there a signalman there controlling the barriers, or are they controlled remotely from somewhere?

Unfortunately railway staff don't have any more authority than any other member of the public to authorise road traffic to ignore flashing red lights (I am not sure even the police do?), and so are instructed not to do so. On one occasion I was attending a similar failure when the signaller waved a car over his crossing - the police promptly booked the driver for passing the red lights and "had a word" with the signaller.

 

[NeilCr]

Crossing has reopened


A much-used level crossing has reopened after a fault with the barriers caused lengthy queues for the second day in a row.

Reports of three-hour journeys as level crossing fails again

A much-used level crossing has reopened after a fault with the barriers caused lengthy queues for the second day in a row.

www.kentonline.co.uk

 

[alex397]

Sunday and Monday or 18th and 19th?

18th and 19th. I will correct the post.

What type of crossing is it? Is there a signalman there controlling the barriers, or are they controlled remotely from somewhere?
.

I believe it is controlled by the Canterbury West signal box, though I can’t remember where I know that from.

 

[1D54]

Not worth a separate thread but there was no 3 minute time period between gates coming down and arrival of train. Train was approaching station but driver obviously knew something was wrong, i reported issue at ticket office but thankfully all was fine. Have to wonder if it would have been the same if one of the regular freightliners had been approaching doing 70mph!!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

18th and 19th. I will correct the post.

I believe it is controlled by the Canterbury West signal box, though I can’t remember where I know that from.

I thought Sturry was a block post

 

[Train Maniac]

Well, hopefully this wont be a problem for much longer, as work has (fairly) recently started on building a Sturry Village Bypass

 

[zwk500]

I thought Sturry was a block post

According the Sectional Appendix, it is:

The signal diagrams I have show the protecting signals for the LC as controlled by Sturry SB, and the box itself as a MCB so would have to be controlled from the box (as opposed to MCB-CCTV or MCB-OD). Canterbury West controls the protecting signals for Broad Oak LC.