LAF 17/18 Suffolk Local Access Forum Title Network

laf 17/18 suffolk local access forum ========================== title: network rail – public rights of way level crossings meeti

LAF 17/18
Suffolk Local Access Forum
==========================
Title: Network Rail – Public Rights of Way Level Crossings
Meeting Date: 19th October 2017 at 14.00
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Author/Contact: Andrew Woodin
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Venue: SALC Offices, Unit 11a, Hill View Business Park, Claydon, IP6
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Felixstowe Branch Line Improvements – Transport and Works Act Order
(TWAO)
Introduction
This paper further updates the Forum on the current state of play with
the Felixstowe Branch Line Improvements Transport and Works Act Order,
and is based on information provided by Network Rail’s Senior
Development Manager for the scheme.
AOval 6 Oval 11 s a quick recap Network Rail are proposing to
close a number of foot crossing in the Trimley area along the
Felixstowe Branch Line.
Level crossings pose the greatest risk to safety on the railway
network. Closure of level crossings will help improve safety, reduce
the number of accidents and also help to increase capacity of the
network and maintain a robust railway timetable.
The proposals is further outlined in the section below but as a
summary Network Rail are proposing to close six public footpath or
bridleway level crossings, and one private vehicular user worked level
crossing to improve safety and providing a replacement crossing point
in the form of a public bridleway bridge at Gun Lane.
The level crossings which are proposed to be closed are located along
or in the vicinity of the section of the railway that it is proposed
to dual.
It is widely acknowledged that closure of level crossings is the most
effective way to remove the risk. This is consistent with principals
of prevention, namely
*
Avoiding risks
*
Combating the risks at source
*
Replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous or the less dangerous
In the nineteenth century, when the railways were constructed, many
level crossings were provided because they were the cheapest form of
making good the interruptions in land and public highways that
resulted.
Level crossings were acceptable on a low speed steam-powered railway,
but trains have become faster, quieter, and more frequent, and the law
and society have rightly become more concerned with safety. A railway
being built today would only ever include a level crossing in
exceptional circumstances. The ORR’s level crossing policy makes clear
that any new level crossings should not be authorised other than in
exceptional circumstances.
Further details on the safety specifics of the Felixstowe Branch can
be found in the Statement of Case recently published for the TWAO and
on request.
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/anglia/felixstowe-branch-line/
The Proposal
It is proposed to construct a bridleway bridge at the location of the
existing Gun Lane Level Crossing. The bridge comprises a steel main
deck span of 15.995m between column supports which will provide a
minimum of 5.1m headroom, steel access staircases to the east of the
structure, and steel access ramps to the west. The ramps slope at a
gradient of 1:15, with 2m long intermediate landings every 333mm
vertical rise. The ramps have a total length of 148m. The ramps and
staircases are to be aligned parallel with the track. It is proposed
to paint all elements of the bridge ‘holly green’
A number of diversions are proposed to mitigate the impact of the
closure of the level crossings. The diversion for each level crossing
is illustrated in the image below.
The Thorpe Common diversion is shown in red on the above and comprises
creating two new public rights of way parallel to the railway line.
Pedestrians would be able to cross the railway at the existing level
crossing at Thorpe Lane (it is proposed to upgrade this level crossing
to create double barriers for vehicles). When a train is passing and
the vehicular barriers are down, pedestrians would be able to wait
within an area of footway adjacent to the road.
The Grimston Lane diversion is shown in navy blue on the above plan.
The proposed diversion is along existing roads and pedestrians would
be able to cross the railway at Thorpe Lane in the same way as in the
case of Thorpe Common.
The Trimley diversion is shown in turquoise on the above plan and
comprises the creation of a new public right of way along the western
part of the railway which would connect to St Martins Level Crossing
which is at the foot of the proposed bridleway bridge staircase,
providing a crossing over the railway. On the eastern side of the
railway, the diversion would continue along existing PRoWs; Public
Footpaths 30 and 33 in the Parish of Trimley St Martin.
The St. Martins diversion is shown in pink on the plan and comprises a
crossing over the proposed bridleway bridge. A new public right of way
will be provided on the eastern part of the railway, parallel to the
bridge that would link the stairs at the foot of the bridge to the
ramp, connecting Public Footpath 30 to Restricted Byway 28 (Gun Lane)
without the use of the bridge.

The proposed diversion at Gun Lane comprises a crossing over the
bridleway bridge, which is proposed to be sited at Gun Lane.
The Keeper’s Lane diversion comprises the creation of a new bridleway
along the western part of the railway that will connect Keepers Lane
(Bridleway 22) to Grimston Lane. A new bridleway will be created from
Grimston lane to Restricted Byway 28 (Gun Lane). This is aligned, in
part, along restricted byway 27 (Track) Gun Lane. The diversion
follows Restricted Byway 28 (Gun Lane) and crosses over the proposed
bridleway bridge. On the eastern side of the railway, users would
continue along Restricted Byway 3 (Gun Lane) (track) to Public
Footpath 2 in the Parishes of Trimley St. Martin and Trimley St. Mary,
which is proposed to be upgraded from a footpath to a bridleway. The
diversion continues along the upgraded bridleway to Keepers Lane
(Bridleway 21 and 22).
In addition to the proposed diversions described above, as part of the
package of enhancement and mitigation, Network Rail is also proposing
to upgrade Public Footpath 1 in the Parish of Trimley St Mary, also
known as ‘Cordy’s Lane’ from a footpath to a bridleway to enhance
circular routes for bridleway users in the area.
Next Steps
The Secretary of State has requested a public inquiry into the
Felixstowe Branch Line Improvements Transport and Works Act Order
which will be held early in 2018 – further details on location and
timings will be provided in due course.
Network Rail will present its case for the order and explain why it
believes the proposals outlined in the draft order and the Statement
of Case is appropriate. The inspector overseeing the public inquiry
will evaluate the proposals Network Rail has made and will make a
recommendation to the Secretary of State. We would expect a decision
in summer of 2018.
END
AW (from information provided by Network Rail)/SCC Oct 2017
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