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Plumpton Level Crossing wheel-operated gates to be retained

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Flipper

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You would think so, but these gates are seemingly enchanted, being possessed of the strength to repel a charging lorry, or to turn aside a runaway train. They might also emit calming pheromones that soothe all mammals.
 
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Bald Rick

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Carriageline, I really am not very good at explaining myself am I.

Currently, anyone standing on the highway is protected from passing trains by a heavy duty gate. I merely said if you were a young mum with a baby in a buggy, would you prefer to be protected by a set of gates or face the unprotected underside and wheels of a moving train? No matter how slowly the train is moving, it could be unnerving. Or come to think of it, how would a horse behave?
I know we are all simple here in the country, so apologies for that.

All barriers of MCB crossings (regardless of whether supervised locally, or with CCTV or OD) have protective skirts beneath the barriers to stop anyone )or anything) going under the barriers when they are down.

To answer the question: barriers, as there is a much reduced chance of human error and the gates being opened in front of a train. Also, I have seen young mums with buggies use the adjacent wicket gates at LCs when the main gates were closed, and thus cross LCs with trains on approach. I haven't seen this at MCB-OD crossings, simply because it is not possible.

(I don't know if Plumpton has separate wicket gates or not).
 

Flipper

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(I don't know if Plumpton has separate wicket gates or not).

It does not have wicket gates.

P.S. I hadn't considered the possibility that Rooky & co. may not realise that the booms are equipped with skirts, but it might explain a lot.
 

Rooky

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Well, I have learned one thing, your Rule Book refers to MCB (Manned crossing with barriers) and OD (Barrier crossing with obstacle detection). It doesn't refer to MCB -OD.
That's cleared that one up!
 

MarkyT

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MCB is a basic type of crossing. It has full barriers, lights and it has to be confirmed clear before signals will allow trains to pass. If not locally operated it can be remotely controlled and confirmed clear by CCTV from a signalbox nearby or a control centre many miles away. OD is a new approach in UK but used abroad widely. Various sensor techniques are used to scan the crossing for obstructions during barrier lowering and at signal clearance time. This replaces the routine visual inspections. Once the signal is clear, barrier limit switches and continuity strips are monitored for further incursions until the train has passed. If the boom lifts or breaks the rail signal goes to red, just as with other types of MCBs. Auto-lower is an add-on to reduce workload at busy boxes. It's an option for remote control or even locally operated MCB crossings, but it doesn't replace the manual crossing clear confirmation before the signals clear. Crossings with auto-lower can also be fully controlled manually when necessary. OD crossings need the auto-lower feature in order to function completely automatically in normal circumstances.

Read this for a good background -
Level Crossings: A guide for managers, designers and operators
http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/2158/level_crossings_guidance.pdf

Interesting to note in the table of level crossing types on page 12 The OD variety is referred to as CB-OD rather than MCB-OD or just OD. Seems to be a terminology conflict with the rule book but that's not relevant, it's the same beast.
 
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Henbury Loop

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Taken from "Plumpton Level Crossing Campaign" Facebook page.

LDC's planning officer has recommended that the Planning Committee 'approves' the permanent replacement of the rail gates as shown in the letter below. Not all over yet though.....

Dear Sir/Madam, Notification of Committee Meeting Application No: LW/15/0867 Type: Listed Building Consent Application Proposal: Upgrade of Plumpton Level Crossing to a Manually Controlled Barrier (Obstacle Detection) MCB-OD crossing Site Location: Level CrossingStation Road Plumpton Green East Sussex

The above application, which you submitted comments on, will be considered by the Planning Applications Committee on Wednesday 13 January 2016 at The Council Chamber, County Hall, St Annes Crescent, Lewes starting at 5pm. In addition to attending to listen to any debate on the item, there is an opportunity for members of the public to speak (up to 3 objectors and 3 supporters) on a first come, first served basis. Each speaker will be able to address the meeting for a maximum of 3 minutes. You must register to speak before noon on the day before the meeting. If you wish to register and/or receive a Public Speaking leaflet please ring the Team Clerk on 01273 484440 or 484439.
In accordance with the Council’s Constitution the Committee cannot consider any documentation that you might wish to bring to the committee and present in support of your representation (such as, petitions, photos, plans and letters). Should you need to present documentation at the committee by reason a special circumstance please notify the planning department in advance of the meeting so that this can be considered. Documentation submitted on the day of the meeting will not be considered. The application is recommended for approval. The agenda for the meeting including the report for this application can be viewed at: http://lewes.cmis.uk.com/cmis5/Committees.aspx
The venue has wheelchair access and a hearing loop but if you require any special facilities to enable you to attend or participate in the meeting please contact Karen Burns
Southover House Southover Road Lewes BN7 1AB 01273 471600 01273 484488 minicom www.lewes.gov.uk
23 December 2015
or Jen Suh on 01273 484440/484439.
Yours faithfully Mrs Alyson Smith Planning Case Officer
 

Phil from Mon

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Reports now that work to remove the gates will begin

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/network-rail-gains-permission-to-update-plumpton-level-crossing

Network Rail has received planning permission to permanently remove and preserve the crossing gates at Plumpton level crossing.

The permission, granted by Lewes District Council’s planning committee tonight (Wednesday), allows the railway to remove the old wooden gates and put modern equipment in their place.

Work is already underway to reopen the road, which should be achieved by February.

Network Rail’s area director Steve Knight said: “This is a positive step for the many people who use the road, for the safety of the level crossing, and for tax and fare payers.

“I am sorry that our neighbours and road users had to endure such a long period of disruption and we are well on the way to getting the road reopened.

“The gates have been stored securely and will be kept safely until they can be moved to a new location.”

NOTES

The modern equipment being installed at the crossing will consist of flashing red lights, full barriers and obstacle detection technology. It will offer a much greater level of safety for both road users and train passengers.

The gates had been listed as part of the curtilage of the Grade II listing of the signalbox, which will stay where it is.

How much has this all cost in time and money, and to no purpose whatsoever. As someone commented elsewhere - "if they had just asked for the gates to be properly recorded before removal" it could be well under way by now, if not completed. The latest from the campaign's Facebook page is that they will be petitioning Network Rail for compensation. Fat chance I think.
 
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Flipper

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The latest from the campaign's Facebook page is that they will be petitioning Network Rail for compensation. Fat chance I think.

If they seek to be compensated for the length of time which the crossing has been closed, then I suspect that they would have a better case against Lewes District Council, who, let it not be forgotten, obtained an injunction against Network Rail which prevented them doing any work whatsoever on the crossing until the Council had eventually sat on the matter.

It was only shortly before Christmas that the Council decided to listen to the advice of their planning officers, rather than the ill-informed opinion of a vocal minority and some publicity keen public servants, and as we know Network Rail and their contractors had rather a lot on over the Christmas "holidays".

I did initially sympathise with Mr Betts and his fellow objectors, but this gradually evaporated once it became clear that they had not the slightest interest in understanding the issue, or in any facts relating to it, or indeed in the actual historic relevance of the crossing and its mechanism - they just wanted white gates, no yodels and no wig-wags.
 

nidave

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The latest from the campaign's Facebook page is that they will be petitioning Network Rail for compensation. Fat chance I think.

The cynic in me gets the impression that that's all they care about- Money, what they can get out of it all in compensation.
 
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