A rescheduled public forum on Network Rail’s proposals to improve safety at the Whitebridge Lane level crossing – which could see its closure – will be held on Tuesday 11th January.
The forum takes place at Stone station community building between 3pm and 7pm after the original meeting was cancelled in December due to the weather.
The crossing is accessed by a metal gate at each side of the railway line. The gates are open at all times, so pedestrians have to gauge when it is safe to cross.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Safety is our number one priority and for this reason Network Rail is seeking to reduce the safety risk prevented by the type and nature of the crossing.”
A letter has been sent to residents near the crossing, which identifies four options that have been identified:
- Closure of the crossing to pedestrians and diversion put in place
- Construction of a stepped footbridge across the railway
- Construction of a ramped footbridge across the railway
- Provision of a subway to replace the crossing.
Comments can also be sent by post to Network Rail, Community Relations, North West, 3rd floor, Square One, 4 Travis Street, Manchester M1 2NY, by email to CRNW@networkrail.co.uk and by calling 08457 114141, quoting “Four Lane Ends”.
3 comments
Richard Stevens
I have just got back from the forum meeting at the Station. It was packed! And Network Rail should now be in no doubt whatsoever that the unanimous opinion is that closure is not an option. Obviously a lot of work and preparation has been done by NR – there were detailed plans of 14 different options, all variants on the footbridge or underpass proposals. So thanks to everyone who turned up but if you were not able to attend you can still lodge your views using any of the methods outlined in Jamie’s pot above.
Richard Stevens
Network Rail’s response would be that trains have to travel at a snail’s pace because there is a pedestrian crossing at Whitemill Lane! Because of this and two other crossings in the vicinity, there is a speed limit in force through Stone which slows up trains, particularly Mr Branson’s intercity service. Whilst I’m sure Network Rail pay heed to safety issues, allowing Virgin trains to hurtle through Stone and thereby cut a few more minutes off journey times is probably the more compelling reason for the proposals to close track level pedestrian crossings around Stone.
Jamie
Have a look at this video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4lWeqLRoHE
This is how simple and safe it is to cross at the Whitebridge Lane level crossing. Trains go at a snail’s pace, there’s lots of track visible left and right, no bends… Why are Network Rail considering shutting it on safety grounds?