Level crossings when line is closed due to strike

[greatkingrat]

What happens at level crossings where you have to phone the signaller to cross but the line and signalbox are closed due to strike action? Is there a recorded message saying no trains today, it's fine to cross, or do they assume any users will eventually just decide to cross by themselves when they get no answer on the phone?

 

[VP185]

Your call probably diverts to the panel or box that is manned.

 

[endofthetunnel]

Boxes which have phones such as this (should) divert to control when they are closed, using a box open/closed switch.
(Yes there will be exceptions etc)

 

[Dunnideer]

Some (most?) routes have an alternative phone number shown at their level crossings which will get you through to Network Rail Operations Control. That is staffed 24/7 regardless of whether or not the signalboxes are closed.

 

[TEW]

There is a sign up at Farmborough North foot crossing informing users that the phone may not be answered due to industrial action, an alternative number for control is given to phone if that is the case.

 

[LAX54]

In the 1989 strike, the Managers went around all the crossings with phones and put small labels giving an alternate number if no answer, these days with PSB's and ROCs there will always be someone there to answer the phone.

 

[Annetts key]

In older installations, the phone in the signal box, panel, PSB, etc. will just ring, and no one will answer.

Where a signal box has a open/closed switch (because it was not planned to be open 24 hour/7 days a week), the telephone should be diverted to another signal box. Which may or may not be staffed…

Some more modern installations may be able to divert calls elsewhere.

I recommend you use a mobile telephone to ring the alternative number given on the level crossing sign.

 

[BrummieBobby]

I am in North Wales on holiday and was in Criccieth a few days back.

The crossing by the station has a sticker on the crossing phone at present "Due to industrial action, it may take longer for this phone to be answered"

Presumably trains to the Cambrian Coast would be a low priority to cover on the next strike day, so the phone would just go through to Control for a manager to say "nothing on the approach"

 

[Annetts key]

As I said above, older installations do not automatically divert the call. Adding call diversion requires extra equipment and the railways are not going to pay for that just in case of strikes.

 

[Bill57p9]

As I said above, older installations do not automatically divert the call. Adding call diversion requires extra equipment and the railways are not going to pay for that just in case of strikes.

Another question is whether a unionised workforce would install, comission and maintain divert capability for strike cover...

(And whilst union members probably can't legally refuse on that basis, it is possible to make things impossibly difficult)

 

[High Dyke]

Surely such diversion works would be for an operational nature, not just because some form of industrial action may take place during the life expectancy of the telephonic equipment.

 

[Annetts key]

Not when the signal box / panel / PSB etc. is normally staffed when trains are normally running. If there are signallers on duty to signal trains, then answering the crossing telephones is part of their duties.

So there are no operational reasons to provide extra equipment to enable calls from crossing telephones to be diverted.

 

[E27007]

Your call probably diverts to the panel or box that is manned.

Is the box manned?, On the strike day last week, at 0600 hurs, the Signallers at 3Bridges halted any movements by setting signals to danger, and then home to bed they went!