just thinking of a few of local examples quickly shows that level crossings will never be eliminated.
First, Bare Lane. A bridge would be impossible, and blocking the road to traffic unthinkable.
Next, Hest Bank. No room for a bridge, and it wouldn't be cost effective for the handful of properties. You could perhaps compulsory purchase and demolish the properties, but would that be a valid use of money? And people would still want access to the beach.
Third, Silverdale. Another essential road, in the country on flat boggy marshland near the sea. Engineering a bridge would be "interesting" to say the least, especially as it would impinge on a national nature reserve.
Another problem arises if you look at the stretch of track between Silverdale and Arnside - there you have a series of footpath crossings (four or five) within a mile or so. Blind, unprotected, dangerous, all need closing. But you're in an AONB, shutting the paths would be unacceptable, while permission would never be granted for replacement footbridges. They're dangerous and presumably trains have to slow for them - but in recent years there's not been an incident on them. Would the cost of eliminating them be justified? Would the removal of the speed restriction make much difference to timings between Arnside and Carnforth?
