Spalding: Gary Porter claims there are too many diverted trains!

[petersi]

http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news...k-spalding-over-next-five-saturdays-1-6596238

Trains to gridlock Spalding over next five Saturdays

Spalding traffic faces gridlock over the next five Saturdays with more than 100 trains passing through the station while the East Coast main line has multiple repairs.

Some 114 trains will pass through Spalding on Saturday – up to seven an hour – with freight and intercity services among those diverted. Normally Spalding has 22 trains a day.

MP and transport minister John Hayes is due to meet the company for urgent talks at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday.

District council leader Gary Porter wants guarantees from Network Rail that Spalding’s Vernatts Bridge, which is due to be replaced, can withstand the extra trains.

Coun Porter said: “I am just trying to seek their (Network Rail) reassurances that there are no safety implications for people on the trains – passengers and rail company staff....

Grumbles bridge is not strong enough but council will not grant Network Tail access to replace.

 

[SouthStand]

Should be interesting getting into/out of Woolram Wygate

 

[dk1]

That's how the railway rolls. He will have to deal with it. Good to see investment on the route in the last few years.

 

[Class 170101]

What????

Oh dear what is the world coming to?

 

[ultrabox]

Is there an election coming Councillor Porter?

There was also a report about the diversions on BBC Look North last night.

I cannot understand what all the fuss it about and I certainly don't expect either Lincoln or Spalding to be gridlocked.

 

[ironstone11]

http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news...k-spalding-over-next-five-saturdays-1-6596238

Grumbles bridge is not strong enough but council will not grant Network Rail access to replace.

I don't think the council can refuse. - Railway Regulation Act 1842, s 14 allows Network Rail to enter adjoining land to carry out repair works or to prevent accidents

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Lincoln High Street gets even more disruption.

 

[deltic08]

I am assuming there is a level crossing in Spalding that will be a problem so why is this moron complaining about something that is not his concern and not about the crossing?

With the name of Porter he should be more railway sympathetic.

 

[Starmill]

I don't understand what the problem is...

 

[NeilWatson]

Is there an election coming Councillor Porter?

There was also a report about the diversions on BBC Look North last night.

I cannot understand what all the fuss it about and I certainly don't expect either Lincoln or Spalding to be gridlocked.

Winsover Road in Spalding is heavily congested in normal conditions, the additional crossing closures could well have a significant impact on traffic in the city centre.

 

[NSEFAN]

They have said they are going to bring a lot more traffic through on five consecutive weekends but they didn’t think it was a big enough issue to tell anybody, other than put some notice in the press. There was no consultation with the council, police, fire or ambulance. They seem to think it’s only a minor inconvenience.

Perhaps he's confusing railway safety standards for that on the roads? I'd like think NR have a slightly better idea of the state of their assets, and certainly have a better idea of what's safe compared to a local councillor who has naff all to do with the railway.

 

[7Pinza]

Lincoln are up in arms about the High St crossing being down (as usual). There are plans to pedestrianise the area south of the crossing at which stage drivers will need to get on with it! Already have two good high bridges over the railway for through traffic.

 

[deltic08]

Gary Porter could be worrying that if the railway bridge does fail causing casualties then blame will be laid on his shoulders for refusing Network Rail access over council owned land.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Give it a few weeks and I wouldn't be too suprised if Gary Porter ends up on Tulip Talk to discuss the matter.

 

[6Gman]

Gary Porter could be worrying that if the railway bridge does fail causing casualties then blame will be laid on his shoulders for refusing Network Rail access over council owned land.

But has the Council refused access to NR?