Level crossings: closing crossings, rules for drivers

[LSWR Cavalier]

An "accident" at a level crossing near Beddgelert has been reported.

Many crossings have been closed or upgraded with lights and barriers. But often a crossing is the only way to a property and can not be closed, or closing it forces drivers to take a much longer route.

New rules (stop signs?) are ignored by many drivers.

I think crossings should be closed if there is an alternative driving route, even if it costs several minutes.

The WHR is perhaps a special case with only a handful of trains a day. As a railfan I know that special workings, works trains etc could run at any time, but a local might only expect the advertised passenger trains.

What about chicanes to force drivers to slow down?

What else might be done?

 

[Llanigraham]

How are you going to add a chicane to a single track country road?
Yes the one mentioned on the WHR might be possible, but look at some of the Welshpool which are constrained by high banks.

Driver education and higher penalties is what is needed.

 

[Egg Centric]

And what if you're on a cycle? As a fat ******* with a fast car several minutes in the latter could easily be 45 minutes on my cycle. And possibly (probably!) the difference between me cycling or driving. Don't see how this helps anyone.

If you intend to keep the crossing open for cycles then may as well keep them open for the cars anyway.

The railway is incredibly safe already. Let's not spend any more money on increasing safety unless the improvement is expected to make such a substantial difference it saves money over all. Better to attract people to rail through sensible pricing.

 

[martin2345uk]

Always wondered why they don't use normal traffic lights for level crossings? Would drivers be just as likely to ignore those?

 

[skyhigh]

Always wondered why they don't use normal traffic lights for level crossings? Would drivers be just as likely to ignore those?

Probably. And then you also lose out on the additional rule that even emergency vehicles have to stop for the flashing red lights.

 

[Egg Centric]

They’d be much more likely to ignore them I think. If you pick a random red light where you can’t see anything coming and jump it you’ll probably be fine, partly because whatever would hit you (if there is something) can probably take avoiding action*.

It’s good imo to especially emphasise how terrible an idea it is to jump these particular lights.

*obviously I am not advocating this

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Perhaps some sort of relatively cheap flashing light system (with loud hooters?) could be installed.

There are places where crossings could be closed to motors but kept open for walkers and cyclists.

But cyclists ignore the rules too (dismount, walk across!). A cyclist near where I used to live rode across and was killed by a train doing 50mph.

 

[Falcon1200]

Always wondered why they don't use normal traffic lights for level crossings?

This is because drivers of certain vehicles, ie the Emergency Services, are allowed to pass traffic lights at red, which does not and of course cannot apply at railway level crossings.

 

[martin2345uk]

This is because drivers of certain vehicles, ie the Emergency Services, are allowed to pass traffic lights at red, which does not and of course cannot apply at railway level crossings.

Yeah that makes sense to be fair

 

[Bald Rick]

An "accident" at a level crossing near Beddgelert has been reported.

Many crossings have been closed or upgraded with lights and barriers. But often a crossing is the only way to a property and can not be closed, or closing it forces drivers to take a much longer route.

New rules (stop signs?) are ignored by many drivers.

I think crossings should be closed if there is an alternative driving route, even if it costs several minutes.

The WHR is perhaps a special case with only a handful of trains a day. As a railfan I know that special workings, works trains etc could run at any time, but a local might only expect the advertised passenger trains.

What about chicanes to force drivers to slow down?

What else might be done?

worth having a read of the Planning Inspectors’ reports into the proposals to close several level crossings in East Anglia. it will take you about a day to read them all, but at the end of it you will see what it takes to close even a very simple footpath crossing or private crossing.

(I won’t include quotes from the reports in this post)

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1060848/essex-level-crossing-reduction-twa-order-inspectors-report.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1060848/essex-level-crossing-reduction-twa-order-inspectors-report.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/943477/suffolk-level-crossing-reduction-order-inspectors-report.pdf