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How early do you need to arrive at a station where there are level crossings

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jopsuk

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Shelford, Cambs, is a good example of a bridge-less station on a busy line with this issue. Especially as an Up train stopping needs the crossing closed throughout the stop.
 
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Robertj21a

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Fine. So, with many thanks to those with extensive local knowledge, the ‘answer’ for Bentley (South Yorks) is “15 minutes”.
This does perhaps raise the question as to whether standing information, timetable notes, local signage and so forth should include this helpful advice (and equivalent advice elsewhere with similar situations).

Can't see any need whatsoever. I always ensure that I have about 15 mins before any train departure (unless it's a high frequency service) and it's my responsibility to make that allowance.
 

js517

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Stations have defined minimum connection times. Could the industry expand on this idea a little and define minimum departure allowance times to account for things like crossing platforms by level crossing, changing platform for TVM, average TVM wait time etc.?
 
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Asking people to arrive 15 minutes before the departure of the service really isn’t going to encourage people to use it.
 

apk55

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Big problem at Navigation road. While the station is actually two bi directional single tracks one for Metrolink and for railtrack with both well used including a lot of freight.
On several occasions I have missed 2 trams because a slow moving freight keeping the barriers down. The road is also busy as a residential feeder road.
 

Robertj21a

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Asking people to arrive 15 minutes before the departure of the service really isn’t going to encourage people to use it.

Nobody has to ask them to arrive 15 mins early. The suggestion was that people might want to allow 15 mins. As usual, it's up to the individual to take responsibility for themselves, not just assume that someone else has sorted it out for them.
 

LancasterRed

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I use Bamber Bridge a fair amount now. It's a wildcard as one delayed train can throw everything out of whack. I try and get there 10 minutes early as the barriers for stopping trains go down 5 minutes before the train arrives. At least in Brig's case the barriers go down as the Blackpool-bound train pulls into the platform, so it is entirely possible to run as soon as the barriers go up and make the train, albeit a silly idea.

There's no definitive way to say though. A slow running freight train can bring the barriers down for 10-15 minutes.
 

Bill Badger

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Curious - how do they check? And if there are, what do they do?

But back to the OP's question of "what are my rights?" (I think he meant responsibilities) - the train departed on time, and he wasn't on it - albeit delayed reaching the platform by circumstances outside his control. Unfortunate, but hardly the responsibility of the train operator - no different than had his bus run late, or he'd been caught behind an accident.

Would the operators responsibilities be different if the OP had arrived by train wanting to make a connection? A good example would be Ash Station which has a minimum connection time of 5 minutes, but it would easily be possible to arrive on time from Reading, connecting to Farnham and miss the connection because the gates were down
 

embers25

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Problem too at Pinhoe as there is no bridge and a ticket machine only on the Exeter Bound platform (in the unusual event that it's not broken). The trains usually cross there and so for the xx35 train you normally need to be there 10 mins before, not allowing for the time to buy a ticket. At least a dozen times I've seen people jump off the platform on to the tracks to cross to buy a ticket then repeat the process to get back on the London platform. This issue will become more of a problem if the Pinhoe Interchange plans go ahead, as the Airport Link Bus is marked as going from the London Bound side and most people using it will be arriving on the Exeter bound side and so when the incoming train is late the bus passengers will likely be stuck at the crossing whilst the bus sails off, leaving an hour wait.

Also, are posters really saying that everyone should not only be aware if both platforms have ticket machines and whether there is a level crossing and if so what time all trains around theirs run as if so that is (a) never going to happen and (b) ludicrous. If your train from Bentley is at 0900, you shouldn't have to potentially know to turn up at 0840 at the latest to catch it, even with a ticket. The TOC, if nothing else, should at least warn passengers in journey planners to get there VERY early, as even 10 minutes before a train is very early and unnecessary inconvenience for passengers imho. Numerous unsuspecting passengers do miss trains at stations such as Bentley and Pinhoe and yet the TOC's just don't care. If nothing else, it's about time all stations were required to have ticket machines on both platforms in penalty fare areas as one on the wrong platform, across a level crossing, should not be considered a suitable opportunity to buy before boarding as it isn't.
 

Mag_seven

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Nobody has to ask them to arrive 15 mins early. The suggestion was that people might want to allow 15 mins. As usual, it's up to the individual to take responsibility for themselves, not just assume that someone else has sorted it out for them.

Is it not reasonable to assume that if you arrive at a station say within 5 mins of a train departing that you will be able to get to that train within 5 mins? If not what should the number of mins be - you have suggested 15 - that is quite a lot.
 

Snow1964

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North Sheen used to suffer this (originally had footpath exit both sides, but someone decided to block the Southbound exit with electronic cubicle)

Have now built a separate footbridge (other side of level crossing) which does help as sometimes get 3, 4, or 5 trains and barriers down 10-15 minutes. But does mean crossing 2 footbridges to get to the Island platform

I'm sure in the old days connection times used to be deemed 5 minutes unless a bigger number of minutes was shown for the station.
 

Statto

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Is it not reasonable to assume that if you arrive at a station say within 5 mins of a train departing that you will be able to get to that train within 5 mins? If not what should the number of mins be - you have suggested 15 - that is quite a lot.

Because, level crossing barriers can be down for more than 5 minutes especially if train is running in the opposite direction around the time your train is due, so it's not unreasonable to suggest passengers to turn up 15 minutes before the train is due, if you're driving, parking up, buying a ticket, & the ticket office or TVM happens to be on the other platform.
 

Mag_seven

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so it's not unreasonable to suggest passengers to turn up 15 minutes before the train is due, if you're driving, parking up, buying a ticket, & the ticket office or TVM happens to be on the other platform.

Fair enough if thats the case then they (the TOC) need to suggest it then. If you are using the station for the first time how are you supposed to know this?
 

Robertj21a

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Is it not reasonable to assume that if you arrive at a station say within 5 mins of a train departing that you will be able to get to that train within 5 mins? If not what should the number of mins be - you have suggested 15 - that is quite a lot.

Surely, it depends on the individual, the frequency (importance) of that train, the layout of the station - and many other issues. There's no answer that will always be correct. For a low frequency service my personal intention would be to be close by the station about 15 mins before - others may only leave 5 mins, that's entirely for them to decide !.
 

Robertj21a

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Fair enough if thats the case then they (the TOC) need to suggest it then. If you are using the station for the first time how are you supposed to know this?

That's simple. If you've never used the station before allow 15 minutes. Does this really need to be spelt out ?
 

Deafdoggie

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If the crossing fails with the barriers up, then the route could not be cleared and the protecting signal would be held at danger. If the crossing fails with the barriers down, usually, there is a bridge or subway for pedestrians to get to the other side
I know of many level crossings where there is no alternative. Indeed, if there were alternatives then this thread would not need to exist.
 

Statto

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There's a few stations on Merseyrail that have level crossings the end of the platforms, there's either footbridge or pedestrian subway at the level crossing for rail & non rail users to use when the barriers are down, actually couple of Merseyrail stations[Hoylake & Birkdale] which have level crossings, trains are timed at the same time or within a couple of minutes in opposite directions

Thinking before remodeling of the WCML & Stour lines, Tipton had a level crossing at the station, i remember being on a bus & the barriers went down, waited ages for the barriers to go up, as 5 trains[3 fast & 2 stoppers] went through.
 

Deafdoggie

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Which is precisely why I said usually.

I would wager that there are more stations with alternative access than there are with none

I’d say most stations with a level crossing have it as their means of crossing, and no further provision is provided.
 

randyrippley

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Bare Lane is a nightmare for this kind of thing.......the two lines work as independent sidings so a train can use either platform in either direction. If you're on the wrong platform when the train arrives then you've no chance.
 

SoccerHQ

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Feel for the guys who were approaching station as they went down and didn't lift up until train was moving.

Has two close shaves at Blythe Bridge and Tutbury and Hatton but luckily both times the barrier went straight up after the train passed so could get onto the platform on time.
 

vlad

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The thing with Blythe Bridge is that as both platforms are to the east of the A521, the barriers will close before westbound trains arrive and not rise till after the train has left.

I once witnessed one bloke who arrived for his train after the level crossing had closed, so he jumped off the platform and crossed the tracks in front of the train. The guard noticed this, had words with him and refused to let him travel....
 

underbank

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Bare Lane is a nightmare for this kind of thing.......the two lines work as independent sidings so a train can use either platform in either direction. If you're on the wrong platform when the train arrives then you've no chance.

Yes, caught me out once and I used to live within sight/sound of it. I was on the wrong side of the crossing, in plenty of time, as the barriers were down for it to go to Morecambe, and I planned to catch it on it's way back towards Lancaster. It went but the barriers stayed down. Then the NR yellow train came through on the other line after about 5-10 minutes, very slowly. Barriers stayed down after it passed, then the Morecambe>Lancaster train came back and I missed it. That's the problem when the level crossings are taken away - the crossing keeper would have raised the barriers or at least held the train until the barriers rose and people could run across for it. Now it's controlled by Preston, no-one cares about passengers (or even vehicles) being stuck at closed barriers for silly amounts of time.
 

island

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This used to catch me out occasionally at Stone Crossing where the gates would be locked up 3-4 minutes before the train with the permit to travel machine on the up side.

The installation of a footbridge has put an end to that particular issue.
 
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Yes, caught me out once and I used to live within sight/sound of it. I was on the wrong side of the crossing, in plenty of time, as the barriers were down for it to go to Morecambe, and I planned to catch it on it's way back towards Lancaster. It went but the barriers stayed down. Then the NR yellow train came through on the other line after about 5-10 minutes, very slowly. Barriers stayed down after it passed, then the Morecambe>Lancaster train came back and I missed it. That's the problem when the level crossings are taken away - the crossing keeper would have raised the barriers or at least held the train until the barriers rose and people could run across for it. Now it's controlled by Preston, no-one cares about passengers (or even vehicles) being stuck at closed barriers for silly amounts of time.

This is one classic case of why the PSB approach didn't work (at its time it did do, but now not so much). I'm really interested in learning more about a central control area provided by PPSB and I'm learning, I've always wondered how trains were routed through the system but now I know. Soon - Manchester is going to control the whole north west when the Manchester ROC is opened. This can only be good news for the development of our railways, bad news for historians and historical routes, but still good news for Northern.
 

SoccerHQ

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Actually post on the first page reminded me of one time I didn't make it 5-6 years ago. Got off at Ash Vale with ticket person saying North Camp was a comfortable 10 minute walk. Had 20 minutes before scheduled train so walked at leisurely pace. Got within sight of North Camp and then the barriers came down. Pretty sure that's only an hourly route to Reading so then had a very frustrating wait.
 
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I grew up in Oulton Broad and this used to be a problem at Oulton Broad North. It was particularly annoying as the side I had to approach the station from home was the opposite side of the level crossing to the Norwich platform. Missing a Lowestoft bound train wasn't too much of a problem as there were plenty of buses into town (back then anyway). Missing a Norwich bound train could be very annoying though.

I've been told by family back in my hometown that this is no longer an issue due to a signal being moved along the platform or something. Apparently, the barriers don't have to go down until the Norwich bound train is ready to leave the station now. Haven't been in a while so not sure if this is correct or how it works.
 

paddington

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I always look at Google Street View if I need to take a train from a station I haven't been to before, where there are level crossings. I try to approach the station from the correct side but sometimes this is not obvious or apparent.

I nearly got caught out at Dudelange in Luxembourg when I had to get a train at 0455 in order to make the rest of the day's plans work. Fortunately the level crossing barrier rises as soon as the train passes through.
 

infobleep

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Would the operators responsibilities be different if the OP had arrived by train wanting to make a connection? A good example would be Ash Station which has a minimum connection time of 5 minutes, but it would easily be possible to arrive on time from Reading, connecting to Farnham and miss the connection because the gates were down
I would say yes. If they don't allow you enough time between changing of trains then it's their responsibility.

It's like at Wimbledon Station. If you get off the front of a train, which is a couple of minutes late, you could miss a connecting train, as it might take over 4 minutes to clear the platform and reach the other one. Minimum connection time there is 6 minutes.

Of you'd been nearer the footbridge then no problem but I'm not aware of it being a requirement. Thus the same would apply in my opinion if using a level crossing.
Actually post on the first page reminded me of one time I didn't make it 5-6 years ago. Got off at Ash Vale with ticket person saying North Camp was a comfortable 10 minute walk. Had 20 minutes before scheduled train so walked at leisurely pace. Got within sight of North Camp and then the barriers came down. Pretty sure that's only an hourly route to Reading so then had a very frustrating wait.
With a fixed walking connection does someone have to complete it within 10 minutes or whatever the official time is, in order to be able to claim delay repay if they miss their connection? I would have thought yes.
 
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