Angerstein branch line foot crossing in Charlton to close - now to stay open!

[ScotGG]

Looks like this crossing is closing. Sad to hear https://www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2019/04/06/one-of-londons-last-railway-foot-crossings-to-close/

Could it be curtains (or an 8 foot steel fence) for one of London’s last remaining foot crossings near Westcombe Park station?

A letter has been sent to local residents advising them of upgrade work in the area. The letter suggests this will then result in freight trains waiting closer to the main lines when exiting the Angerstein branch line and thus the crossing will close.

 

[Wirewiper]

Here's my photo of pedestrians using the crossing in August 2013 having alighted from a train at Westcombe Park. The "Stop Look Listen" board seemed to be honoured more in the breach than the observance!

Foot Crossing on the Angerstein Wharf Branch by Julian Walker, on Flickr

When the Angerstein Wharf branch was opened in 1851 it cut Coombe Farm in two, and the crossing was originally provided to allow farm workers to access both sides of the farm.

 

[sharpley]

 

[John Webb]

I regret the history of the junctions between the Branch and the former SER Charlton-Blackheath line recounted in the video above is inaccurate. There was always a connection between the branch and the SER's down line facing eastwards towards Charlton and Plumstead. The SER purchased the branch in 1898, having leased it from 1852, and it was they who removed the connection to the up line towards Blackheath at some point after they opened their signal works within the triangle. There was no connection at all with the construction of the Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach in, I recall, the early 1960s! (I lived in the Woolwich area until 1977.)

It's worth noting that the line through Westcombe Park to Greenwich opened nearly 30 years after the Branch was built, the Royal Observatory at Greenwich opposing the building of this link for fear of upsetting their instruments, even in steam days!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think in this sort of case a footbridge or tunnel needs to be provided, really.

 

[trainmania100]

Keep telling myself I need to go to that crossing. Hopefully soon when a freight runs I'll cop something there before it shuts

 

[John Webb]

I think in this sort of case a footbridge or tunnel needs to be provided, really.

The branch is on a significant embankment at that point - so I think a tunnel underneath the line would be better - hopefully this would also be an improvement for disabled people and families with prams and buggies and the like who currently may not be able to use the present crossing.

trainmania100 - the branch is quite active at present - during the week there is a daily flow from the Bardon quarry to the Wharf for export of stone and the returning empties - this latter train comes through St Albans City about 3pm.

 

[DarloRich]

Looks like this crossing is closing. Sad to hear https://www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2019/04/06/one-of-londons-last-railway-foot-crossings-to-close/

Good. Close it.

 

[Mikey C]

A useful shortcut for the residents, seems overkill to close it for the minimal risk it creates

 

[TheEdge]

A useful shortcut for the residents, seems overkill to close it for the minimal risk it creates

I'm guessing if a new signal or stopping point means freights will be stood on it for an extended period the fear is it will only be a matter of time before some piece of pond life decides to try and climb underneath then gets sliced up if it starts moving.

 

[BS56]

Why not move the stopping point before the crossing or put in lockable gates or even miniature stop ( Red ) lamps if they are updating the signalling NR could find the money if they wanted to. But this should not go down without a fight after all it is unique !

 

[hwl]

Why not move the stopping point before the crossing or put in lockable gates or even miniature stop ( Red ) lamps if they are updating the signalling NR could find the money if they wanted to. But this should not go down without a fight after all it is unique !

The crossing is just in the wrong place to be able to do anything with signalling wise especially given the train lengths and current signalling standards.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Here's my photo of pedestrians using the crossing in August 2013 having alighted from a train at Westcombe Park. The "Stop Look Listen" board seemed to be honoured more in the breach than the observance!

I've used that crossing a few times. I've never seen anyone being reckless or irresponsible when using it. I'll be sorry to see the crossing close because local residents find it useful.

 

[richa2002]

Good. Close it.

What on earth has led you to being so miserable that you took time out of your day to post such a thing? Deary me.

 

[DarloRich]

What on earth has led you to being so miserable that you took time out of your day to post such a thing? Deary me.

Because we shouldn't be having foot crossings like this in urban areas. They aren't accessible, they create opportunities for misuse, they create massive risk and the are not appropriate for a modern railway. Build a bridge or a tunnel everyone can use safely. Other than that nowt.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Because we shouldn't be having foot crossings like this in urban areas. They aren't accessible, they create opportunities for misuse, they create massive risk and the are not appropriate for a modern railway. Build a bridge or a tunnel everyone can use safely. Other than that nowt.

I agree - but build a bridge or tunnel first.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

I agree - but build a bridge or tunnel first.

More easily said than done. On the western side you have the A102 dual three lane carriageway. On the eastern side a row of terraced houses. There's also the little matter of cost.

 

[Bletchleyite]

More easily said than done. On the western side you have the A102 dual three lane carriageway. On the eastern side a row of terraced houses. There's also the little matter of cost.

Then don't close it. It's a long walk round.

 

[Surreytraveller]

Except it isn't London's only foot crossing

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Except it isn't London's only foot crossing

OK I'll bite. What other ones are there?

 

[Harbornite]

What on earth has led you to being so miserable that you took time out of your day to post such a thing? Deary me.

Doesn't seem that miserable. Why are you getting upset over a foot crossing being closed? It's just a foot crossing.

 

[higthomas]

OK I'll bite. What other ones are there?

There's one just outside Enfield town station (Used to be for cars as well, but they have put barriers in now. Also had some people who seemed to work for network rail building a kitchen on it when I crossed it.)

 

[christopher]

Two on the Romford - Upminster branch

 

[Surreytraveller]

South of Riddlesdown, one at Kenley

 

[30907]

Then don't close it. It's a long walk round.

Googlemaps suggests it's 130yd to the A206 roadbridge, so a maximum of 260yd extra or less than 3 minutes' walk.
Incidentally there already seems to be a cattle creep or similar under the railway, but I presume it is less than 2m headroom?

 

[hassaanhc]

OK I'll bite. What other ones are there?

Trumpers Way crossing on the Southall to Brentford freight line.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Thank you, gentlemen. I'd always been told that the one in SE7 was unique in London.

I used the crossing yesterday, walking from the retail complex between Woolwich Road and Bugsby's Way to Westcombe Park Station. As I approached the footpath three people came out into Fairthorn Road. I passed two more people on the bridge over the A102. When I arrived at the station a down train pulled in. 14 passengers came out on that side; one turned left, all the others turned right. Ten of them took the footpath over the A102 towards the crossing. This was off peak at about 14.25.

Clearly the crossing is quite busy. Closing it seems to be a solution looking for a problem that does not exist. The line is a very lightly used non-electrified single track. On each side of the crossing train drivers are confronted by a "Stop. Await Instructions" sign. How many deaths and injuries have there been here in the past twenty-five years? How many incidents reported by drivers? Are the freight trains suddenly going to become longer?

 

[hwl]

Thank you, gentlemen. I'd always been told that the one in SE7 was unique in London.

I used the crossing yesterday, walking from the retail complex between Woolwich Road and Bugsby's Way to Westcombe Park Station. As I approached the footpath three people came out into Fairthorn Road. I passed two more people on the bridge over the A102. When I arrived at the station a down train pulled in. 14 passengers came out on that side; one turned left, all the others turned right. Ten of them took the footpath over the A102 towards the crossing. This was off peak at about 14.25.

Clearly the crossing is quite busy. Closing it seems to be a solution looking for a problem that does not exist. The line is a very lightly used non-electrified single track. On each side of the crossing train drivers are confronted by a "Stop. Await Instructions" sign. How many deaths and injuries have there been here in the past twenty-five years? How many incidents reported by drivers? Are the freight trains suddenly going to become longer?

The area is being resignalled (go live very soon) hence everything signalling wise is being done to current standards e.g. signalling overlaps hence it is much more likely in the future that the train is stopped across the crossing for long periods hence much higher risk...

 

[ScotGG]

How long would a train be stopped? There's only one or two trains a day. An extra 5 mins wait is nothing given it'll affect hundreds (and probably thousands especially with new homes nearby)

 

[danorak]

Regardless of whether the foot crossing should stay or go, this is an absolute masterclass in how not to do things. No engagement whatsoever with the affected community, an angry local MP from the Labour frontbench who wasn't warned and no contact with the local council. There doesn't even appear to be any evidence about usage or of any pedestrian/train incidents in living memory.

Perversely the reason this crossing has become important is probably going to doom it in any case. Housing development in the area is increasing the footfall.