Ashtead Level Crossing replacement?

[A Challenge]

I have heard that Ashtead level crossing is being replaced today - anyone got any more information?

 

[tsr]

I don't have any engineering documentation to hand just at the minute, but I can tell you that trains are running through the station...

 

[Deepgreen]

Not being replaced today, but NR has said that they are doing major works this year. The 'replacement' of a level crossing, by definition, would involve the entire facility being removed and a completely new set of kit being installed. This isn't the plan - only certain elements are to be replaced (booms and control gear mainly). The old brick building containing some equipment on the up, London end, side has already been removed to make way for new kit.

NR claims this will improve the reliability of the crossing, but the only real improvement for local users (including me) would be the sensible use of the up starter signal to allow the crossing to be opened between trains, rather than routinely being closed for at least four trains in succession! Of course, road congestion is not being helped by the universal ignoring by road vehicle drivers of the recently-installed 'no right turn' signage from the slip road across the crossing!

 

[A Challenge]

I was told the road part of the crossing was shut (as I know someone who lives beyond it where that is the only road access) over last weekend, but no further information.

I am not sure whether 'replacement' was the correct work though!

 

[Deepgreen]

I was told the road part of the crossing was shut (as I know someone who lives beyond it where that is the only road access) over last weekend, but no further information.

I am not sure whether 'replacement' was the correct work though!

There are various closures and part closures planned to the road (with three way traffic lights at times). My mother also lives off Links Road and received a letter from NR about the proposed works and dates.

 

[synthnut]

There's things afoot currently but not sure of the specifics. The old site of the signal box is currently penned off with plant onsite and personnel present this week. I keep meaning to take some pics and should get the father-in-law who lives that side to chat to them on his dog walking forays!
TTFN,
Ben

 

[Deepgreen]

There's things afoot currently but not sure of the specifics. The old site of the signal box is currently penned off with plant onsite and personnel present this week. I keep meaning to take some pics and should get the father-in-law who lives that side to chat to them on his dog walking forays!
TTFN,
Ben

The old brick-built equipment building that stood there was removed about a fortnight ago, and a new structure is to be built to house new equipment.

 

[synthnut]

Stopped by this morning whilst dropping the wee-one at the inlaws. Took a few quick snaps of the state of play. As Mr D says, the brick cabin has been demolished already. Sadly I'm too young to have rememebered the signal box that used to be here. My Father -in-Law recalls the bobby letting a couple of cars through between trains where now the barriers stay down in the days it was controlled from the box.
There was a program of works in the local magazine that arrived this week but I failed grab it.

TTFN,
Ben

 

[A Challenge]

I now know there are new barriers there, as I was told more, and i was in Ashtead this evening, and that letter that synthnut refers to is similar to that I know of.

 

[synthnut]

There's a blockade this weekend on the lines through Ashtead and crossing works ongoing. Had a nice chat with the guys on site this morning who were fitting the new wig-wags. I was somewhat suprised to see new lights going up as the crossing has recently been upgraded to LED units and these new lights are exactly the same! It turns out that the crossing is being reduced in clearance either side of the tracks as it's the widest on of the chaps had ever come accross for a two track crossing. So, with the realignment of the barriers, comes re-possitioning of the wig-wags to comply with the new placement.
The barrier mechanisms were in place, sans barriers and most of the new lightboards fitted too along with a new large Portacabin sized control cabin replacing the brick "hovel". They came accross the foundations of the signal box that was on the common side of the crossing up until the seventies whilst digging in various cable ducts apparently.
https://twitter.com/ashteadresident/status/652758082762706944
I willl post some state of play pics in due course...