Trivia: When was the last level crossing built on the main line railway?

[bavvo]

I was wondering about this the other day. When did they stop building level crossings altogether? I am not including light railways, tramways, sidings or reopened lines. Just proper new built lines in the UK. I think the Great Central london extension did not include them for instance. Did the 'big four' build any? Did British Rail?

 

[Dr Hoo]

The Holmes Chord, to Rotherham Central has a level crossing on it, I believe.

 

[Magdalia]

In East Anglia various new road bypasses constructed during the BR era were built with level crossings, including Littleport, Downham Market, Wisbech and Beccles.

 

[snowball]

I think we had a similar thread recently?

The Oswestry bypass, opened December 1986, included two level crossings - one on the A5 section of the bypass, one on the A483 section, with a line that was considered well-nigh defunct.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Had the line through Dodworth (between Barnsley and Penistone) remained open to freight prior to the Huddersfield to Sheffield trains being diverted that way in 1984?

 

[Snow1964]

I think the London and South Western Railway didn’t open any on a double track line after about 1860

It also eliminated them when converting a branch to main line, such as Christchurch-Bournemouth in 1880s

 

[snowball]

In East Anglia various new road bypasses constructed during the BR era were built with level crossings, including Littleport, Downham Market, Wisbech and Beccles.

The first three of those were opened in 1986, 1980 and 1984 respectively. Can't find when the A146 Beccles bypass was built.

 

[Woolos 22]

Bridgend Ford factory the level crossing over the A48 was open in 1980

 

[swt_passenger]

If we are now to include new roads the Bicester eastern bypass introduced a new level crossing in about 1990. It’s just been replaced by a bridge for the EWR upgrade.

But there seems to be very little difference between a new road over existing railway, compared to new railway over existing road?

 

[alf]

Bridgend Ford factory the level crossing over the A48 was open in 1980

Not a main line railway but a very welcome branch into the factory when it was built.
Is it still used?

 

[androdas]

The connection into Port of Blyth, Battleship Wharf in Cambois Northumberland has a public level crossing on the road to North Blyth. Built about 2006.

 

[Western 52]

Not a main line railway but a very welcome branch into the factory when it was built.
Is it still used?

No, think it's a while since it was used, but still intact I think.

 

[Mikey C]

No, think it's a while since it was used, but still intact I think.

The Ford factory has closed

 

[D365]

I think we had a similar thread recently?

The Oswestry bypass, opened December 1986, included two level crossings - one on the A5 section of the bypass, one on the A483 section, with a line that was considered well-nigh defunct.

I drove that road for the first time recently and was very surprised to come across a 60mph level crossing!

 

[Supercoss]

August 2021 a new build AHB crossing opened at Cricklewood , slightly different to normal AHB as 4 tracks pass over it
( Mainline as in on national network but depot siding area)

 

[pdeaves]

Is a foot crossing a 'level crossing'? If so, the one at Bedwyn, round the end of the reversing siding, was closed and moved further west to a new site a few years ago. It's a marginal resiting case; debate elsewhere whether it's new or 'the same' crossing!

 

[SuffolkRaider]

The first three of those were opened in 1986, 1980 and 1984 respectively. Can't find when the A146 Beccles bypass was built.

Beccles bypass was constructed 1983 according to the local picture group on FB

 

[Lucy1501]

A level crossing was opened in Workington on the Cumbrian Coast Line for access to Workington Docks whilst the railway bridge was being rebuilt back in 2021. It was only temporary though, so not sure if you'd count it as one.

 

[bavvo]

Some interesting answers here. I must admit I never considered new roads over existing railways, but it does seem a few did still create new crossings as recently as the eighties. Any more since? I assumed they were pretty much ruled out in most instances in modern times.

 

[Railsigns]

Beccles By-Pass level crossing opened in 1980 as a temporary crossing with an attendant, and it became an AHB in 1981.

 

[swt_passenger]

Some interesting answers here. I must admit I never considered new roads over existing railways, but it does seem a few did still create new crossings as recently as the eighties. Any more since? I assumed they were pretty much ruled out in most instances in modern times.

Yes, I mentioned Bicester was 1990?

That’s just a freight line though, but in terms of a recent major increase in rail traffic, the London Rd crossing in Bicester itself just next to Bicester village station went from occasional freight use to 2 tph each way all week when the Chiltern line Marylebone to Oxford connection opened in 2015 ish? They’re still worried about the effect on Bicester of adding the EWR service that will increase the barrier down time significantly, but it’s an incredibly difficult location to build a bridge.

 

[Gloster]

A level crossing was opened in Workington on the Cumbrian Coast Line for access to Workington Docks whilst the railway bridge was being rebuilt back in 2021. It was only temporary though, so not sure if you'd count it as one.

Siddick Temporary Level Crossing: opened 22-04-2021, closed 07-06-2021. Telephone to Workington Main No. 3 Signal Box. (Source: The Signalling Record, No. 205.)