Worst Level Crossings for Traffic

SWTCommuter · 6 Jul 2019

robert7111a said:
Is it busier than Hampden Park in Sussex?

Mount Pleasant is on the busier railway but Hampden Park is on a much busier road.

Mount Pleasant
459 trains, 2943 road vehicles, 1296 pedestrians or cyclists
Hampden Park
340 trains, 10287 road vehicles, 1350 pedestrians or cyclists.

RailUK Forums

Saperstein · 6 Jul 2019

Portslade Sussex?

kevjs · 6 Jul 2019

Speedbird96 said:
Colwick Level Crossing often remember fondly for being hugely unreliable, usually broken down. Not helped that the level crossing sees six trains per hour plus freight traffic to and from Immingham and Lindsay/Humber Oil Refineries, is located in Sneinton and is right next door to the A612 and Colwick Racecourse.

There doesn't seem to be a week going by without NCT tweeting that their buses are on diversion as Colwick and/or David Lane are stuck in the down position!

adrock1976 · 6 Jul 2019

LewFinnis said:
Surprised Langley Green hasn't had a mention. Always busy and at least 12 trains an hour during the working day.

I can remember before the frequency on the Stourbridge Junction route was increased from broadly every 15 minutes to the present day broadly every 10 minutes, the route of the then 120 bus was rerouted along Western Road so as to avoid the level crossing.

adrock1976 · 6 Jul 2019

I am also surprised that Bollo Lane, Acton has not been mentioned.

There are 2 crossings close by, one for the London Overground Richmond trains and the other that connects to the ex London & South Western Railway to the vicinity of the triangular junction at Kew Bridge (if my geography is right).

90sWereBetter · 6 Jul 2019

The level crossing at Oulton Broad North used to be a huge pain in the backside. Although there would only be two trains an hour most of the time, the barriers would come down several minutes before the train actually cleared the crossing. Cue many angry letters in the local press from disgruntled locals! I believe the situation has now improved due to the Wherry Lines resignalling project.

Always seems to be long queues at Manningtree crossing, which I imagine would have been a whole lot worse if the Brantham depot idea had come to fruition. There is an underpass for cars and motorbikes but it's a very low-height bridge and probably can't be made any deeper due to the marshland around it.

TravellingPhil · 6 Jul 2019

90sWereBetter said:
The level crossing at Oulton Broad North used to be a huge pain in the backside. Although there would only be two trains an hour most of the time, the barriers would come down several minutes before the train actually cleared the crossing. Cue many angry letters in the local press from disgruntled locals!

I believe the situation has now improved due to the Wherry Lines resignalling project.

Add to the fact the crossing is on one of only two routes across the river in Lowestoft. Getting from north to south or vice versa in that town is a real obstacle course. 2 bascule bridges and 2 level crossings (another one for the East Suffolk line!).

I grew up in Oulton Broad near the railway line (the Wherry line) and every time we heard a train rattling through the marshes towards town, we knew it wasn't worth trying to go anywhere!

(Although a local tip...there is a back way on residential roads that crosses the Wherry Line on a bridge!)

Train Maniac · 6 Jul 2019

East Farliegh:
Situated at the bottom of a steep valley adjacent to a listed medieval bridge. At the top of the valley it looks like at first glance like a standard A road and many people think its a shortcut to bypass Maidstone before getting stuck in the twisty lane through East Farliegh. The queues usually stretch up both sides of the valley.

Probably more in keeping with the original idea of busiest level crossings i would suggest Charlton Lane Crossing in South London. A train almost every five minutes throughout the day.

83G/84D · 6 Jul 2019

Two crossings close together in Chichester, long queues last time I was there. Lincoln already mentioned as well.

dk1 · 7 Jul 2019

90sWereBetter said:
The level crossing at Oulton Broad North used to be a huge pain in the backside. Although there would only be two trains an hour most of the time, the barriers would come down several minutes before the train actually cleared the crossing. Cue many angry letters in the local press from disgruntled locals! I believe the situation has now improved due to the Wherry Lines resignalling project.

The Wherry Lines resignalling has not happened yet & is planned to take place over 3 weeks next February/March. The alterations made in 2017 cost hundreds of thousands & where a temporary measure by NR to please a certain local MP before the main works took place.

67016 · 7 Jul 2019

Paignton North is particularly good, if the barriers are down for too long it can end up gridlocking the entire one way system round the town.

Tomos y Tanc · 7 Jul 2019

Pencoed nr Bridgend. Described thus by the local AM.

"The two sides of this town are separated now by a level crossing which can be shut in peak times for up to 40 minutes in an hour, and the narrow Victorian road bridge which allows only for one-way traffic determined by a three-way traffic light system. This can lead to utter gridlock in the town, immense frustration for residents and businesses, air pollution and congestion, and a dead hand on housing and wider economic development. It’s also notorious, by the way, the level crossing, for its accidents and its close shaves with pedestrians and traffic, and, of course, the stretch is unfortunately also infamous for fatalities through suicide.”

colchesterken · 7 Jul 2019

Another vote for Colchester Eastgates, The trains are planned to enter and leave within a close timing as it is on a tight bend it is subject to 10mph PSR, so the wait for a train in each direction can be several mins. This clogs up the East side of the town meaning several roads cannot merge into the traffic so we are trapped in our roads at rush hour
I raised it with the MP, we all had a meeting on site with Network Rail and a tour of Colchester signal box, so I understand how and why
But Network raid will not spend the money on a solution which would be to close up the timings and shorten the gates closed time, as the max speed for even non stop trains is 45 mph, I think something could be done

camflyer · 7 Jul 2019

Foxton really needs sorting out. You have the A10 (surely the worst low numbered road in the country) crossing a busy rail line. Time it badly (as I did on Friday) and it can take 10 minutes to pass.

Dr_Paul · 7 Jul 2019

TravellingPhil said:
Add to the fact the crossing is on one of only two routes across the river in Lowestoft. Getting from north to south or vice versa in that town is a real obstacle course. 2 bascule bridges and 2 level crossings (another one for the East Suffolk line!). I grew up in Oulton Broad near the railway line (the Wherry line) and every time we heard a train rattling through the marshes towards town, we knew it wasn't worth trying to go anywhere! (Although a local tip...there is a back way on residential roads that crosses the Wherry Line on a bridge!)

The bridge on Prospect Road perhaps? I was up in Lowestoft once when both the Lowestoft and Oulton Broad road swing-bridges jammed in the open position, thus requiring a 30-mile ride through Beccles and Haddiscoe to get from one side to the other.

Back in London, Manor Road at North Sheen station can be fun. Two Kingston loop and two Hounslow loop services each way an hour, two up and two down Reading and two up and two down Windsor services an hour, with additional services at rush hours. Manor Road can get completely blocked at each and, clogging up the junctions at the Black Horse to the south and the Gasworks Bridge on the A316 to the north. I've regularly seen the gates down for three or four trains. To be fair, things have recently been made easier for pedestrians and cyclists with the construction of a footbridge.

MassDiscussion · 10 Jul 2019

Bedhampton or Farncombe.

centraltrains · 10 Jul 2019

LewFinnis said:
Surprised Langley Green hasn't had a mention. Always busy and at least 12 trains an hour during the working day.

The road traffic isn't usually too busy there [at least when I've been]

Realfish · 10 Jul 2019

Dr_Paul said:
Back in London, Manor Road at North Sheen station can be fun. Two Kingston loop and two Hounslow loop services each way an hour, two up and two down Reading and two up and two down Windsor services an hour, with additional services at rush hours. Manor Road can get completely blocked at each and, clogging up the junctions at the Black Horse to the south and the Gasworks Bridge on the A316 to the north. I've regularly seen the gates down for three or four trains. To be fair, things have recently been made easier for pedestrians and cyclists with the construction of a footbridge.

Similarly Vine Road in Barnes has two crossings within yards of each other, with similar frequencies. Although a quietish cut-through to Barnes Village from the Upper Richmond Road / Richmond Park, the road is sufficiently busy to be anxiety inducing when in a line of traffic, the far crossing gates begin to close and you are still on the first crossing.

ZJ517 · 10 Jul 2019

camflyer said:
Foxton really needs sorting out. You have the A10 (surely the worst low numbered road in the country) crossing a busy rail line. Time it badly (as I did on Friday) and it can take 10 minutes to pass.

10 mins is nothing, you can easily get stuck for a minimum of of 15 mins if you hit it when one of the freight trains coming in/out of Barrington Quarry shows up.

The worst time arguably is at the evening peaks. Barrier comes down just after 1745 when train 6M03 pulls into the station from the Quarry to reverse onto the up line, departing at 1753. It clears the crossing just in time for Ely-bound 1T48 which is at Stepreth by then, meaning the barrier stays down for it to come through at 1757. This is then followed by Cambridge-bound 9S42 that runs 4 mins behind, and then 9S53 on the opposite direction, coming through the crossing 1 min after. Straight after these pair are the two stopping services coming through at both directions, southbound 2C55 calling Foxton at 1806, followed by the northbound 2C42 at 1812, with the non-stop southbound 1T51 passing at 1815. In between all that, there may be a 2-minute gap for the barrier to open twice or 3 times. By then, the traffic has built up so much (it is common for the southbound traffic to queue all the way back to Harston, some 1.5 miles from the crossing) that there is no chance for it to clear with these short openings.

The two level crossings at either ends of Shelford station are also pretty notorious traffic wise. At certain time during the morning and evening peaks, both crossings will be closed for about 7 mins to let two stopping Greater Anglia and one Cross Country train by. This tends to bring the traffic in Great Shelford to a standstill.

MontyP · 10 Jul 2019

Realfish said:
Similarly Vine Road in Barnes has two crossings within yards of each other, with similar frequencies. Although a quietish cut-through to Barnes Village from the Upper Richmond Road / Richmond Park, the road is sufficiently busy to be anxiety inducing when in a line of traffic, the far crossing gates begin to close and you are still on the first crossing.

Another one in SW London - the one on West Barnes Lane between Raynes Park and Motspur Park. I think that Crossrail 2 will replace it with a bridge if it goes ahead.

johnr57 · 10 Jul 2019

NoMorePacers said:
Spring Bank West crossing in Hull causes big jams, especially since about 10/20m away from it on one side is a 3-way junction and traffic light system.

OT I remember as a child on my bike frequently getting trapped in the rails, it’s on a slight bend, maybe a new thread - level crossings most hazardous for cyclists (of any age!)

james60059 · 10 Jul 2019

I'd concur with Tallington, I was participating in a private bus photo charter with one of Delaine's heritage vehicles on Saturday June 22nd and one of the routes was over Tallington, we were for the best part of 20 minutes. Bet the locals love it :lol:

Royston Vasey · 10 Jul 2019

camflyer said:
Foxton really needs sorting out. You have the A10 (surely the worst low numbered road in the country) crossing a busy rail line. Time it badly (as I did on Friday) and it can take 10 minutes to pass.

I think part of it is the long sections of signalling. As far as I recall, the barriers will go down when the train is at the Shepreth Branch Junction southbound (i.e. Shelford) and around Shepreth northbound, which are slow sections due to curves anyway but if they are stoppers the barriers can be down for a long time.

Dr_Paul · 10 Jul 2019

Realfish said:
Similarly Vine Road in Barnes has two crossings within yards of each other, with similar frequencies. Although a quietish cut-through to Barnes Village from the Upper Richmond Road / Richmond Park, the road is sufficiently busy to be anxiety inducing when in a line of traffic, the far crossing gates begin to close and you are still on the first crossing.

That's right, one gets the Richmond line with the eight trains each way an hour that I mentioned in my post, and the Hounslow loop as well, with four trains each way an hour. But it is a minor road with the parallel main road a couple of hundred yards to the east, crossing the line on a bridge at Barnes station.

AlbertBeale · 11 Jul 2019

Realfish said:
Similarly Vine Road in Barnes has two crossings within yards of each other, with similar frequencies. Although a quietish cut-through to Barnes Village from the Upper Richmond Road / Richmond Park, the road is sufficiently busy to be anxiety inducing when in a line of traffic, the far crossing gates begin to close and you are still on the first crossing.

Dr_Paul said:
That's right, one gets the Richmond line with the eight trains each way an hour that I mentioned in my post, and the Hounslow loop as well, with four trains each way an hour. But it is a minor road with the parallel main road a couple of hundred yards to the east, crossing the line on a bridge at Barnes station.

I won't hear a bad word about the pair of Barnes crossings within yards of one another! I spent the first 6-and-a-bit years of my life in Putney, on its western side, nearest to Barnes. Years later, my mother would often tell the tale of how she'd take me out for the afternoon in my pushchair in my days as a toddler, going to Barnes Common to pick blackberries, but I always insisted on being taken to the stretch of road between the crossings instead, so I could watch both lots of trains going by. My anorak days started early.

whittlesfordok · 11 Jul 2019

Foxton there are plans in place to sort this out but per Foxton parish council website put back to 2020 to 2025!
http://foxtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/page.php?id=156
I agree the Shelford crossing are a pain but can be got around outside of rush hour.

whhistle · 11 Jul 2019

Surprised nobody has offered this:

Video of a level crossing that is closed for up to 40 mins

Goldfish62 · 11 Jul 2019

Realfish said:
Similarly Vine Road in Barnes has two crossings within yards of each other, with similar frequencies. Although a quietish cut-through to Barnes Village from the Upper Richmond Road / Richmond Park, the road is sufficiently busy to be anxiety inducing when in a line of traffic, the far crossing gates begin to close and you are still on the first crossing.

It's indeed rare when down Reading and Windsor services don't get checked on the approach to this crossing, such is the juggling act that signallers have to do.

james60059 · 27 Jul 2019

I know it doesn't exist any more but Canley in Coventry use to have it's moments. Traffic used to be backed up Hearsall Lane to Earlsdon Avenue and beyond at times. Tile Hill was similar as well

Statto · 27 Jul 2019

james60059 said:
I know it doesn't exist any more but Canley in Coventry use to have it's moments. Traffic used to be backed up Hearsall Lane to Earlsdon Avenue and beyond at times. Tile Hill was similar as well

You can add in the former level crossing at Tipton as well, had anything from 18 trains an hour during the day going through there, i remember being on the old 311 when it was Wallsall-Stourbridge & got caught at that crossing & waited for 4 trains mix of express & stopper to pass.

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