Bridlepath crossing with mandatory phone for pedestrians

[cambran]

Today I used a bridlepath crossing south of Fenny Compton with a sign All users including pedestrians must contact the signaller. I used the phone at the crossing and was rather surprised that he didn't know which crossing I was calling from as I would expect this to be indicated in the ROC. Also there was no sign with the name of the crossing so I had to describe where I was.

When I returned with a group of 7 I was asked to phone back from the other side to confirm the crossing was clear, so I'd be interested to know if there is a line block for a group of pedestrians. Also how common are these crossings as it is the first time I have seen one?

 

[Lucy1501]

I used the phone at the crossing and was rather surprised that he didn't know which crossing I was calling from as I would expect this to be indicated in the ROC.

The signaller will likely have known where you were calling from, most telephone concentrators will display who is calling in the form of a light or a button lighting up. There is a requirement to ask the person calling where they are calling from without suggesting the location, primarily on safety grounds.

 

[alxndr]

There should have been a sticker inside with various details. Usually something along the lines of:

• Crossing name: XXXX
• Lift handset to contact signaller at XXXX. Replace handset after use. (Or other instructions as applicable).
• OS grid ref: XXXX
• Mileage: XXXX
• If you cannot get an answer on this telephone contact XXXX

The stickers do sometimes fall off, especially if it's damp when they were applied or the sticker was taken from the old phone when a new one was fitted. If you're back and there isn't one it's worth letting someone know that it's missing so that it can be rectified.

 

[LostStudent]

Id love to get the plate info details published so my app could list them. I did ask in a FOI request for all the level crossing's plates details, unfortunately there no central database of them https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/isthecrossingdown/id6783423787

 

[Spartacus]

Today I used a bridlepath crossing south of Fenny Compton with a sign All users including pedestrians must contact the signaller. I used the phone at the crossing and was rather surprised that he didn't know which crossing I was calling from as I would expect this to be indicated in the ROC. Also there was no sign with the name of the crossing so I had to describe where I was.

When I returned with a group of 7 I was asked to phone back from the other side to confirm the crossing was clear, so I'd be interested to know if there is a line block for a group of pedestrians. Also how common are these crossings as it is the first time I have seen one?

There's not a line block, but if you don't call back the next train will be cautioned to examine and it'd be treated as crossing misuse.

 

[josh-j]

The signaller will likely have known where you were calling from, most telephone concentrators will display who is calling in the form of a light or a button lighting up. There is a requirement to ask the person calling where they are calling from without suggesting the location, primarily on safety grounds.

Is that to make sure the person calling isn't mistaken themselves about where they are? I'm struggling to think what the safety implication would be for a crossing user.

 

[alxndr]

Is that to make sure the person calling isn't mistaken themselves about where they are? I'm struggling to think what the safety implication would be for a crossing user.

There is a risk, albeit very small and much less likely than in the past, that wires have been crossed or switches set incorrectly that would mean the phone displays incorrectly. I suspect it’s also second prompt to remind the signaller exactly where they’re dealing with, even if that’s not the main purpose.

I’m not sure if omnibus telephones were ever used for public crossings?

 

[ricoblade]

Today I used a bridlepath crossing south of Fenny Compton with a sign All users including pedestrians must contact the signaller. I used the phone at the crossing and was rather surprised that he didn't know which crossing I was calling from as I would expect this to be indicated in the ROC. Also there was no sign with the name of the crossing so I had to describe where I was.

When I returned with a group of 7 I was asked to phone back from the other side to confirm the crossing was clear, so I'd be interested to know if there is a line block for a group of pedestrians. Also how common are these crossings as it is the first time I have seen one?

Wow, as an avid walker I've crossed many railway lines on footpaths and bridleways, including the ECML, but have never come across a "must phone signaller" one.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Wow, as an avid walker I've crossed many railway lines on footpaths and bridleways, including the ECML, but have never come across a "must phone signaller" one.

Fairly sure there's a phone to contact the signaller, this where the Oxfordshire Way crosses the Cotswold line, on the approach to Ascott-under-Wychwood station. Line is curving at this location.

 

[Sasomida]

I came across one of these walking towards Holy Island from Fenwick. The instructions were nice and clear.

I'm more used to footpaths that simply cross the railway with warnings that you have to check first and proceed carefully. I'm guessing the difference is that near Fenwick, there could easily be high-speed trains where you could fail to hear on and get partway across before it becoming a problem, whilst the ones you walk across are near stations where every train stops or the train is otherwise always going to be slowed. When the train is running at 20mph, it's a lot easier to cross.

 

[181]

I came across one of these walking towards Holy Island from Fenwick. The instructions were nice and clear.

I'm more used to footpaths that simply cross the railway with warnings that you have to check first and proceed carefully. I'm guessing the difference is that near Fenwick, there could easily be high-speed trains where you could fail to hear on and get partway across before it becoming a problem, whilst the ones you walk across are near stations where every train stops or the train is otherwise always going to be slowed. When the train is running at 20mph, it's a lot easier to cross.

The only one I've come across (last year) was just along the line from there, at Belford. There was a clear sign indicating that it was Belford Burn crossing.

Both crossings used to be on the Northumberland coastal path, which may have affected the risk assessment. (The opening of a new stretch of path means that the coastal path no longer takes the inland diversion across the railway and back; I needed to go into Belford anyway to get the bus). Also, the Belford one crosses 5 tracks, although one is a siding and two are loops which presumably have a low speed limit.

Fairly sure there's a phone to contact the signaller, this where the Oxfordshire Way crosses the Cotswold line, on the approach to Ascott-under-Wychwood station. Line is curving at this location.

I didn't have to phone last time I was there, although as it's a bridleway there may well have been a phone for people with animals. That was in about 2018, though, so it's quite possible that things have changed since.

Where the Ridgeway crosses the down Chiltern main line (only -- the up line is separate at a lower level) just south of Princes Risborough there are now warning lights (and possibly an audible signal too, but I don't think I've been there when there's been a train coming), but no telephone (as far as I can remember -- certainly not one that it's compulsory to use). The presumably less-used crossing a few hundred yards to the north is still a 'plain' one.

 

[mickey]

Where the Ridgeway crosses the down Chiltern main line (only -- the up line is separate at a lower level) just south of Princes Risborough there are now warning lights (and possibly an audible signal too, but I don't think I've been there when there's been a train coming), but no telephone (as far as I can remember -- certainly not one that it's compulsory to use). The presumably less-used crossing a few hundred yards to the north is still a 'plain' one.

Yes, there’s an audible alarm now. Not that it gives you much notice, it only sounds a couple of seconds before the train comes round the corner. Thankfully the trains on that route are of the noisier type (smelly grunty diesels!) so you get a bit more notice that way. IIrc the linespeed there is 100mph and not all trains stop at Saunderton so they can be going quite a speed.

 

[Annetts key]

Today I used a bridlepath crossing south of Fenny Compton with a sign All users including pedestrians must contact the signaller. I used the phone at the crossing and was rather surprised that he didn't know which crossing I was calling from as I would expect this to be indicated in the ROC. Also there was no sign with the name of the crossing so I had to describe where I was.

When I returned with a group of 7 I was asked to phone back from the other side to confirm the crossing was clear, so I'd be interested to know if there is a line block for a group of pedestrians. Also how common are these crossings as it is the first time I have seen one?

The signaller is required to ask ALL callers, including railway staff, where they are calling from (unless they have already said) on all telephone calls when first speaking to them.

One of the reasons for this is because in the past, there have been faults with the telephone system which has misled the signaller and the signaller has made a mistake because of this. Which has serious safety implications.

There is a risk, albeit very small and much less likely than in the past, that wires have been crossed or switches set incorrectly that would mean the phone displays incorrectly. I suspect it’s also second prompt to remind the signaller exactly where they’re dealing with, even if that’s not the main purpose.

I’m not sure if omnibus telephones were ever used for public crossings?

I know of one crossing where railway crossing telephones connect to a BT line and BT exchange equipment. That autodials in to a railway ETD (Extension Trunk Dialling, in other words, a normal railway exchange line) number on the signallers concentrator.

There have been mistakes in the telephone wiring for the voice circuit in the past such that the telephone (not necessarily a crossing telephone, may have been a signal post telephone, I forget the details) indicated the wrong location to the signaller.

But it is also possible with conventional signal boxes or power signal boxes, for a error to be made in the wiring to the illuminated push button or for the labels to be incorrect.

Hence why the signaller is trained not to rely on the telephone system being correct.

 

[Fenchurch SP]

Presumably people who are deaf or speech disabled are still allowed to cross without using the phone?