Bramley Level Crossing Meeting – 4th November 2016

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Last Updated on Monday, 14 November 2016 22:23

Written by Parish Clerk

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Attendees

Alexander Boatfield / Amanda Ingram - Network Rail - (AB / AI)
Bruce Ansell / Malcolm Bell - Bramley Parish Council - (BA / MB)
Nick Robinson - Basingstoke Borough Councillor - (NR)
Keith Chapman - Hampshire County Councillor and Chairman - (KC)
Graham Wright / Hannah Roper - Hampshire County Council - (GW / HR)
Mark Lambert - Basingstoke and Deane Council - (ML)

Prior to arrival of Network Rail attendees, Bramley Parish council showed a short presentation around the traffic survey data collected.

Network Rail

AB provided a review from Network Rail as to the current position and why engagement about the Bramley Level Crossing.

• Closure of Level Crossing program - 650 Nationwide
• The programs focus is the Interface removed of Rail to path/road - Safety risk reduction
• 10 deaths in last year of level crossing incidents
• Fatality weighted index on Network Rail is how safety is calculated.
• Control year 5 - 25% risk reduction for level crossing £99million funding - Wessex area - artery issues / draconian measures not used risk reduction
• All funding up to 2019 has been allocated - route wide program
• No developed plans to do anything on Bramley Level crossing
• 21st highest risk CCTV out of 49 - for Wessex - (25th out of 57)
• Misuse has been recorded be pedestrians and vehicle at Bramley Level Crossing
• Today is an open forum for discussion in options 

BDBC

NR noted the contradictory statement discussed around letter and nature of wishing to close level crossing. AB confirmed that all funding has been allocated for the Level Crossing program up to 2019, so nothing will happen at least before then and this exercise was merely an exploration of options. 

Opportunity for discussion

AB mentioned an option to discuss signalling controls at a parish council meeting

AB indicated engagement with signalling teams is required to understand their procedures. 

HCC

KC noted increase of rail traffic - KC seeks a statement from Network Rail in which predicted rail traffic is provided.

Long term plan by network rail will increase traffic, rail flyover planned for Basingstoke, what is the impact of this on to the Basingstoke to Reading line.

KC asked What’s the solution? 

AB stated that current survey data indicates 208 trains a day, with a 4 minute average downtime for each train by the barriers, within a 24 hour period the barrier is closed to vehicle traffic on average 8 - 9 hours

• 3294 vehicles a day
• 729 pedestrians a day
• Assessed as an Individual Risk of G (range A - M) and Collective risk of 3 (range 1 - 13)
• The level crossing has recently had an update and Network Rail will share this new assessment although there is no change 

HR - asked about improvement of barrier control for today, what is possible?

Network Rail will show analysis of signal control - Technological solutions to be reviewed.

Long discussion around crossing barrier control and down time - in which no real conclusions were arrived merely for Network Rail to investigate current implementation of signalling controls.

GW asked a question around increased traffic on line.

AB detailed 4 keys issues:

• Safety for vehicle uses - rat run issue
• Downtime barrier 
• Pedestrians us in and around C32
• Queuing 

MB commented that if there was any pedestrian relief scheme, then an underpass would be far more preferable to a footbridge.

KC highlighted freight discussions - what type of scheduling is in place.

KC asked about other options of Network Rail - another line dedicated to freight - 10-15 years ahead -Basingstoke - Southampton to the North - rail bypass.

Network rail to quantify impact on level crossing with rail growth - (AB)

HR made a statement that roundabout improvements on the A33 will go to relieve pressure on C32 - likelihood that traffic will be decreased on the c32 - BA disagreed.

Strategic planning C32 - GW statement traffic is a fact of life - The improvements on A33 are flow control.

Network Rail to carry out signalling analysis.

MB asked about hatching on level crossing - Network rail indicated that paint only lasts 3 months, very hard to enforce, 1 van covers whole Wessex Region.

AB - Green Park station being built and will be operational within the project plan for December 2018 - Network Rail passenger growth.

KC - arrange a meeting 3 months in which Network rail to present actions placed on them. 

Meeting closed

Actions

AB - Network rail to quantify impact on level crossing with rail growth - what is the picture in 2019.
AB - Network Rail to carry out signalling analysis -
AB - Network Rail to distribute new risk assessment for the Bramley Level crossing.
GW - To arrange a follow-up meeting in which the additional data and information can be reviewed and assessed