Busiest Level Crossing?

[Keele13]

Whenever I am at Exeter St Davids it surprises me that there is a level crossing so close to what is a rather busy large station. The road that crosses the tracks there isn't exactly quiet either!

Are there other similar stations with level crossings in such proximity? What's the busiest level crossing in terms of numbers of trains? There are a few on the line south of Stoke (at Barlaston, Wedgwood and Stone) that see around 10 trains an hour (at a rough guess!).

 

[O L Leigh]

Essex Road crossing near Broxbourne used to be really busy. In the peak they reckoned it was down around 70% of the time, perhaps more. Off-peak frequency is about 18tph in both directions, not counting freight and ECS.

This is currently the same frequency as Enfield Lock, Brimsdown and Northumberland Park crossings (nothing coming down the Lea Valley line currently turns right at Cheshunt for the Southbury loop), but part of the reason why Essex Road was so badly congested is that the Hertford trains are doing around 20mph there in order to negotiate Broxbourne Junction.

Essex Road crossing has since been replaced by a bridge.

O L Leigh

 

[Ibex]

I believe the level crossing at Hampden Park is a busy one, with Wikipedia suggesting 14 movements across it off-peak. Bearing in mind that every train on that line has to cross the level crossing twice due to reversal at Eastbourne.

 

[scrapy]

Navigation Rd and Deansgate Lane crossings near Altrincham have up to 24 trains/trams per hour across them. Up to 3 passenger trains, 20 Metrolink trams and 1 freight train.

 

[bradders1983]

There are two sets of level crossings on the lines north of Doncaster (on the Leeds branch and the ECML). Surely these must be closed more often than open during the day!

 

[moonrakerz]

Whenever I am at Exeter St Davids it surprises me that there is a level crossing so close to what is a rather busy large station. The road that crosses the tracks there isn't exactly quiet either!

At least there is a bit of common sense exercised at this crossing - once the car barriers have dropped there is usually a railwayman there allowing pedestrians to continue to cross until the train is actually approaching.

 

[flymo]

Tallington crossing on the ECML north of Peterborough must be one of those that has the barriers down more than up, during the day anyway.

 

[will1337]

The two level crossings on Vine Road, Barnes at the very end of the Hounslow loop and on the Reading line are very busy. About 20tph pass through off peak.

 

[Failed Unit]

Tallington crossing on the ECML north of Peterborough must be one of those that has the barriers down more than up, during the day anyway.

If you listen people in Lincoln they would have the same claim about high street in Lincoln. Nonsense of course if only it had a footbridge.

I suppose you have 2 issue with different answers, most TPH and closed for the highest % of the day. Doncaster and that one must be a contender! Doncaster often has stationary trains on it!

 

[hello]

how about horton road

 

[bradders1983]

These are the Doncaster ones, just north of the station:

The left hand one is on the Doncaster-Leeds branch of the ECML, so will have at least 8 trains an hour (2 EC, 2 Northern stoppers) plus ad hoc extras.

The right hand one is on the Doncaster-York branch of the ECML so will have a multitude of trains on it - Grand Central, East Coast, Cross Country.

And that's before you add in freight! With a bit of bad luck it could take you 20 mins or so to get through both!

 

[ushawk]

I believe the level crossing at Hampden Park is a busy one, with Wikipedia suggesting 14 movements across it off-peak. Bearing in mind that every train on that line has to cross the level crossing twice due to reversal at Eastbourne.

Yep, 14 each way off-peak. Causes loads of congestion in the surrounding area, especially at peak times. Sometimes it doesnt help as the platforms can only fit 8 coaches, so the barriers stay down even longer.

 

[dk1]

Didnt there used to be a couple of level crossings between Birmingham & Coventry that where a regular feature for the local press? When ever the Trent Valley was blocked they could hold up road traffic for ages.

 

[Oracle]

I would say that Mount Pleasant crossing in Southampton is busy with the main and Portsmouth line services, plus the Northam Depot adding on ECS movements.

 

[GNER 91128]

Tallington crossing on the ECML north of Peterborough must be one of those that has the barriers down more than up, during the day anyway.

I read somewhere that in rush hour, the barriers are down for 40 mins in an hour.

Helpston sees more trains but I don't think they're down for longer than Tallington.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Didnt there used to be a couple of level crossings between Birmingham & Coventry that where a regular feature for the local press? When ever the Trent Valley was blocked they could hold up road traffic for ages.

There was one at Tipton, Berkswell, Tile Hill and Canley. All removed since WCML modernisation (think Tipton was done when the station was refurbed last year). 8 or so trains/hour in each direction would make them down 40-45 mins an hour. There are also some on the Rugby-Kilsby-Hanslope stretch of the WCML, and I think some in the Trent Valley.

 

[dk1]

As manual xings go Brundall can get quite busy. Even at its quietest time they close 4 times per hour. I recall working there one summer saturday in the 80s when we had no option but keep them across the road for 32 minutes with even a Yarmouth-Leeds & a Liverpool St-Yarmouth straddling it before further waiting local dmu's passed/called at the station. Several unhappy motorists had words

 

[43167]

Im going say the crossings on the Airedale line at Kildwick and Cononley. 4 locals in each direction an hour, plus a Carlisle/Morecambe each hour, regular freight trains, plus the occasional WCRC ecs to/from Carnforth.

Several unhappy motorists here aswell as the barriers can be down for long periods.

 

[222007]

Tallington crossing on the ECML north of Peterborough must be one of those that has the barriers down more than up, during the day anyway.

It is known to be down for 45-50mins each hour peak. When you keep in mind every east coast service passes here along with Hull Trains Grand Central and EMT as well as freight. The locals reportidly deispise the crossing

 

[12CSVT]

I think one of the reasons why the line through Gloucester Eastgate was closed was several level crossings disrupting traffic.

Also Ramsbottom seems to have one of the busiest level crossings on a preserved line.

 

[TGV]

I'd say Helpston, north of PBO. Gets everything Tallington does plus the Stamford line traffic. OK I've jist noticed someone's already stated that fact. I'll get my coat.

 

[Matt Taylor]

The two level crossings on Vine Road, Barnes at the very end of the Hounslow loop and on the Reading line are very busy. About 20tph pass through off peak.

24tph off peak, and 55m from gate to gate.

 

[paul1609]

I think one of the reasons why the line through Gloucester Eastgate was closed was several level crossings disrupting traffic.

Also Ramsbottom seems to have one of the busiest level crossings on a preserved line.

I reckon on road traffic Northiam Level Crossing on the K&ESR (A28/ A268) would see off Ramsbottom by a considerable margin!

 

[northernrail]

Hagside Level Crossing on the Metrolink Bury line must be busy

 

[jopsuk]

Presumably those ECML crossings are down for longer per train too? Higher speeds mean the gates have to be down so the signal can be cleared a longer time before the train is due, surely? Plus those are wide crossings- especially Helpston- which must mean that the lights have to be on yellow for a longer period, and then the barriers only half closed for a longer period.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

There's quite an irony about the 2 LCs just north of Doncaster ('Moat Hills' Level Crossings)!

They're on the Up approach to Donny station and to Marshgate Junction (NW from Leeds and NE from York), so Up trains are frequently held on the LC waiting for, either, a platform in the station or a path across the junction. You're quite correct, jopsuk, these frequently hold a train stationary on the LC and obstructing road traffic for a few minutes.
These LCs are the approach/exit from a large and busy road haulage depot on Ings Road. Most of the traffic held when the gates are closed to road vehicles are heavy freight vehicles.

Google SV views here:http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=doncaster&aq=&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=18.860836,52.954102&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Doncaster,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.534378,-1.139327&spn=0,0.012928&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.534439,-1.139181&panoid=2_0mp_o7o09WTut2jNOqfw&cbp=12,233.42,,0,0.22 and here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=doncaster&aq=&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=18.860836,52.954102&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Doncaster,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.534358,-1.139338&spn=0,0.012928&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.534302,-1.139465&panoid=OF6pFAzUXweHeSQGAmgC5Q&cbp=12,65.3,,0,2.98

 

[Bald Rick]

Yep, 14 each way off-peak. Causes loads of congestion in the surrounding area, especially at peak times. Sometimes it doesnt help as the platforms can only fit 8 coaches, so the barriers stay down even longer.

Not quite sure where 14 tph each way comes from, the service isn't that good. It's more like 8 each way split 5 to/from Lewes and 3 to/from Hastings.

For active crossings, you will be hard pressed to beat the manned barriers at Ingatestone. In the morning high peak hour there are 16 trains on the Up line and 10 trains on the Down. In that hour, the barriers are up for maybe 5 -10 minutes at best. You have to ask what is the point of the road in such circumstances.

 

[TomJ93]

The Coventry ones were great as a kid, going to homebase and seeing MKiiis! What more could you want?

 

[PaulLothian]

I'd say Helpston, north of PBO. Gets everything Tallington does plus the Stamford line traffic. OK I've jist noticed someone's already stated that fact. I'll get my coat.

I managed to see Helpston crossing for a few minutes last week while in the area; the barriers seemed to be down for 3-4 minutes before each train arrived, and the road was blocked for 2/3 of the time I was there.

Quite anxiety-provoking for a nervous pedestrian, as it is a long hike across. Once the gates are down there is no pedestrian exit. At least there is a patch of 'normal' road in the middle of the crossing between the main line and Stamford line to retreat to!

 

[Keele13]

Thanks for all the replies - most interesting! I've had a look at Helpston on Google streetview - it is rather wide isn't it?