Great Western Coffee Shop

Maybe the St Ives Unit was Nicked to work an Up service.

however I'm sure the friends and family of the poor soul who lost his life yesterday don't feel quite as fortunate as you do

Investigation into a fatal accident at Mexico footpath crossing, near Penzance, Cornwall, 3 October 2011

At approximately 15:50 hrs on Monday 3 October 2011, a pedestrian was struck and killed on Mexico footpath crossing, near Penzance, by train 2C47, the 13:53 hrs service from Plymouth to Penzance; formed by a two-car Class 150 diesel multiple unit.
The accident happened when the pedestrian was crossing from the south (beach) side of the crossing towards Long Rock village.  To reach the crossing pedestrians must first pass through a simple pedestrian gate.  There are no warning lights or audible alarms to alert users of approaching trains.  However, for trains heading towards Penzance, a sign has been provided 348 metres (381 yards) before the crossing to instruct train drivers to sound their horns to warn pedestrians of the approach of a train before it comes into view.  The driver of train 2C47 had sounded the horn when in proximity to this sign.

As the train approached the crossing, it was travelling at a speed of about 48 mph (77 km/h), slightly below the maximum permitted speed at this location.  Soon after becoming aware of the presence of the pedestrian, the driver sounded the train horn again and applied the brakes.  However, there was insufficient time to avoid the accident.

The RAIB will publish a report or a bulletin to present the findings of this investigation.  This will be available on the RAIB website.

ANNIVERSARY APPEAL FOLLOWING LEVEL CROSSING DEATH ^ LONG ROCK, PENZANCE

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are today appealing for anyone who witnessed a fatality at Mexico foot crossing at Long Rock, Penzance, Cornwall, on Monday, 3 October 2011 to come forward.

Jeanette Nicholls, aged 73, of Godolphin Road, Long Rock, died after being struck by the 1446hrs Par-Penzance First Great Western service shortly before 4pm on Monday, 3 October.

The incident is being treated as non-suspicious but, ahead of a forthcoming inquest into Mrs Nicholls^ death, BTP officers are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or the events leading up to it, to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Jon Rawson, of BTP, said: ^On behalf of HM Coroner for Cornwall, we are making further enquiries into the tragic death of Mrs Nicholls ahead of the inquest.

^We have already spoken to a number of people in relation to the incident at Mexico foot crossing but I am today appealing for anyone who hasn^t already spoken to police, but who may have information which could assist our enquiries and assist the Coroner ahead of the inquest, to please come forward.^

Anyone who believes they will be able to assist is asked to contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident number 379 of 03/10/2011.

Summary

At around 15:50 hrs on Monday 3 October 2011, a pedestrian was struck and fatally injured by a train on Mexico footpath crossing, near Penzance in Cornwall. On approaching the crossing round a curve, the train driver had observed a person standing to the side of the line and had sounded the warning horn immediately before the train reached the crossing. However, the pedestrian then attempted to cross and was struck.

Although it is not possible to be certain why the pedestrian attempted to cross, the RAIB considers that she either misjudged the speed of the approaching train or misjudged her position in relation to the approaching train. She probably saw the train too late to make a reasoned judgement about whether she should cross. The driver had also sounded the train^s horn as required by a lineside ^whistle^ board when the train was approximately 15-16 seconds from the crossing, and out of sight. If the pedestrian had heard and responded to the sounding of the train^s horn at this stage, it is likely that she would not have passed through the gate and onto the crossing until the train had passed. The RAIB considers that the sounding of the horn when the train was 15-16 seconds from the crossing did not serve its function of warning the crossing user of the approaching train for one of the following reasons:

• the sound of the horn was inaudible to her; or
• she heard a horn being sounded, but did not distinguish it as coming from a train; or
• she did not register that the train horn was sounded, because she was only approaching the crossing at this time and not yet focused on crossing the railway.

The RAIB has made five recommendations. Three recommendations have been made to Network Rail regarding improvements to sighting and warning arrangements for pedestrians using Mexico footpath crossing, developing a national approach to the location and marking of decision points at level crossings and optimising warning arrangements for pedestrians at level crossings provided with whistle boards. One recommendation (in two parts) has been made to RSSB regarding improving intelligence on near-miss incidents at level crossings and enhancing its processes for reviewing the effect of changes made in 2007 to arrangements for sounding train horns at whistle boards. One recommendation has been made to First Great Western regarding a change to standards to require objective testing of horns after a train has been involved in an incident or accident.

'Deadly' railway crossing near Penzance could close following inquest

A railway crossing near Penzance which claimed the life of a grandmother when she was struck by a train last year has been recommended to be closed, following an inquest in Truro today.

Jeanette Nicholls, 73, died from multiple injuries received when using a footcrossing near the Mexico Inn in Long Rock on October 3 last year.

(http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275776/Article/images/17525251/4381979.jpg)
Jeanette Nicholls, who was struck on the Mexico footcrossing in Long Rock last October

Her death was the second on the crossing and followed five near misses, and two other incidents, to have occurred on the line since June 2007; the latest just a month before the accident.

It is the second fatality to have occurred on the crossing, following the death of Joy Mayo in 1972.

After a jury at the inquest had recorded a verdict of accidental death, coroner Barrie Van Den Berg made the recommendation that the crossing is closed in favour of a level crossing further down the line.

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Nicholls' family said they were delighted with the outcome. Her daughter, Vanessa Webster, said: "The family is very pleased with the verdict of accidental death following today's inquest and especially heartened by the coroner's recommendation to close the crossing.

"We hope that Network Rail and the relevant councils progress this closure as soon as possible to prevent further tragedies. It is the second death that  has happened on the line, five near misses and two other incidents reported since 2007. It's an accident waiting to happen."

The inquest heard how Mrs Nicholls, who is from village, had been struck by a the First Great Western Service from Plymouth to Penzance at 3.50pm, crossing the line towards Long Rock from a coastal path.

Train driver Nina Hampton, who was absolved of any responsibility for the accident, described how she had sounded her horn after seeing Mrs Nicholls on the crossing. She said: "I would say I was about 100-150 metres away when I saw a lady standing to the left of the crossing.  I blew the horn a second time, she then turned and faced the train and I hit the brake."

Mrs Hampton then described how she had felt a bang on the front of the train before stopping just past a level crossing a couple of hundred metres down the line.

Mrs Nicholls was treated on the scene but died from multiple injuries.

John Cope, from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, said he could not be certain what caused Mrs Nicholls to be hit but recommended Network Rail consider whether improvements could be made to sighting, review where whistle boards are placed and conduct a nation-wide review to improve warnings at level crossings.

Chris Denham from Network Rail said: "Our thoughts are with Mrs Nicholls' family and Network Rail supports their view that the level crossing should be closed. We will work closely with Cornwall  Council to try to achieve that aim and await details of the coroner's recommendations. We have closed more than 600 level crossings since 2009 and continue with that programme as we try to reduce areas of risk on the railway."

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council added: "We would welcome the invitation from Network Rail to investigate the closure of the crossing. Any proposed closure would be first subject to consultation."

It is reported on SWRG that the 150121 2C47 1353 Plymouth-Penzance service has hit a person in the Longrock area,
Mainline Trains are starting and terminating at St Erth. However St Ives trains are being cancelled. Has the St Ives train been canceled so the mainline return service can run?

Edit: What I meant was, why were trains on the branch canceled when the person was hit on the mainline?

Welcome to the forum folrmc.  I've just tidied up your opening post to clarify the quote and your post.  Have you a view on the crossing remaining open or being closed?

Now NR wants to close the crossing.

Edit note:   Quote marks moved to clarify.

Other reported actions

132 Network Rail has applied to Cornwall Council to have Mexico footpath crossing closed, diverting users to the nearby Long Rock CCTV crossing, where they would be fully protected from the railway by barriers when trains are approaching. Historical information held by Network Rail indicates that:
- Mexico footpath crossing had been a vehicular right of way until 1961. When the crossing was closed to vehicles at that time, Cornwall County Council said that there was a prescriptive right of way through the crossing and that it could not be closed to all users.
- British Rail had applied again to close the crossing in 1991, but this was rejected by County, District and Parish Councils.

Request to stop people using Longrock rail crossing

Network Rail has formally applied to asked to close the Long Rock pedestrian level crossing at Mexico Inn, in the interests of public safety.

Cornwall Council is carrying out informal consultation with a range of groups with an interest in the future of a footpath across the main line railway following the request.

Section 118A of the Highways Act 1980 gives specific powers to relevant authorities, such as Cornwall Council, to make public path orders to close public rights of way where they cross railways.

The grounds for making a Rail Crossing Extinguishment Order are specific and apply where it appears to be in the interests of public safety.

Before it determines whether or not to exercise its power to make a Rail Crossing Extinguishment decision, the Council has written to a number of organisations and individuals including emergency services, utility companies, Ludgvan Parish Council and people who have previously contacted the Council.

The purpose of this letter is to carry out informal consultations and to seek information which will assist it in determining whether the crossing should be closed on these grounds.

The diversion is less than five minutes walk but does mean swapping a stroll along the sea front for one along a busy road.

After a jury at the inquest had recorded a verdict of accidental death, coroner Barrie Van Den Berg made the recommendation that the crossing is closed in favour of a level crossing further down the line.

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Nicholls' family said they were delighted with the outcome. Her daughter, Vanessa Webster, said: "The family is very pleased with the verdict of accidental death following today's inquest and especially heartened by the coroner's recommendation to close the crossing.

"We hope that Network Rail and the relevant councils progress this closure as soon as possible to prevent further tragedies. It is the second death that has happened on the line, five near misses and two other incidents reported since 2007. It's an accident waiting to happen."

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council added: "We would welcome the invitation from Network Rail to investigate the closure of the crossing. Any proposed closure would be first subject to consultation."

Cabinet to consider Long Rock crossing closure order

The decision to close the pedestrian crossing in Long Rock will go before a meeting at County Hall next month.

Cornwall Council's Cabinet will decide whether the August 14 extinguishment order should go to the Secretary of State for approval.

(http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/275776/Article/images/19939794/5390291.jpg)
Councillor Roy Mann at the 'extinguished' Mexico railway crossing.

The crossing was closed at the request of Cornwall's Deputy Coroner in December 2012 following the death of Jeanette Nicholls at the spot.

Ludgvan councillor Roy Mann requested the closure be brought to the Cabinet, and said: "This is the fairest way to make this decision. I've always supported the reopening of the crossing. Indeed, myself and my family have used it. Accident stats say it has a 1 in 11 million chance of an accident. I'd say there's a greater chance of an accident on the roads in Long Rock. Ninety-eight per cent of residents support the reopening of the crossing. Local support should be respected if localism means anything."

The decision to close the crossing permanently was delegated to Peter Marsh, the council's director of environment, after he inspected the site earlier in the year.

Following more than 100 objections to the closure order, if the council wishes the order to be made permanent it is legally obliged to send it to central Government for confirmation.

However, Cornwall Council has the power to overrule the extinguishment order before the Cabinet meeting.

Those who formally objected to the order have been told by letter that the meeting will take place on November 27.

Rob Nance, chairman of the Friends of Long Rock Mexico Crossing (FLRMC), said the impending Cabinet discussion was welcome news. "This is what we wanted," he said. "We hope they look at the order again and see that the statistics have been wrongly interpreted by Network Rail. We're 99 per cent sure that if the decision went to the Secretary of State, we'd win. It would be a complete waste of time to do it. We welcome members of the Cabinet to come and see the site. I think they will revoke it."

FLRMC plans to attend the council meeting en masse, with the hope of being able to put questions directly to the members of the Cabinet during the 15 minutes allowed for this. Questions must be submitted in advance by e-mail to cabinet@cornwall.gov.uk and must be received a full two days before the meeting.

Those unable to attend can watch the meeting via a live webcast on the council website at www.cornwall.gov.uk

West Cornwall MP, Andrew George, is hailing a Government announcement due to be made tomorrow as a campaign success for the Independent and Liberal Democrat led Cornwall Council, and the work of a key council official ^ Nigel Blackler (whose brainchild it was) ^ for his constituents who massively backed his petition and campaign for this ^multi million investment.
 
The major project, which will be unveiled by the PM David Cameron at Long Rock in Mr George^s constituency is to improve rail services from Penzance, including:- a major sleeper service upgrade, major improvements in the mainline signalling to increase service efficiency, the relocation of a major Train Care and maintenance Centre to the Long Rock depot, bringing at least 60 much needed jobs to the area and a Transport Interchange at St Erth.
 
Mr George applauded the thousands of local people who supported his successful campaign for major investment in train services from Penzance. Andrew led the Parliamentary campaign for the ^multi million campaign.
 
Mr George who asked the PM about the matter today in PMQs, said, ^This is fantastic news. It^s been a long time coming. But this is just a beginning, not the end to the investment we deserve.
 
^This campaign has been going for years. There^s a great deal more needed to improve our rolling stock and rail infrastructure so that we don^t get left behind. I will continue to campaign for the necessary investment and improvements to our rail services until we get a firm commitment from Government to provide a rail service in keeping with 21st century requirements.
 
^But, I am glad that the Conservatives have finally recognised the merit of this case and the urgent need for improvements in our rail service. But, I am proud of the way in which my constituents have rallied behind the campaign for a resilient rail service. I have been humbled by the thousands of local people who have supported my petition to build up pressure on the Government to make sure that the Penzance line secures the investment it deserves for a resilient rail service.
 
^MPs across all parties, in Cornwall and the South West, have already voted not to deny communities on the London North corridor the ^billions of investment necessary for HS2 to get underway. But it is only reasonable to continue to ask that the Government gives us a just share of investment to provide the resilient and reliable rail service from Penzance to Paddington. The petitioners and the thousands of locals who support them expect nothing less.
 
^Curiously the PM has been coy about letting me know about his visit. But he^s very welcome nevertheless. This has been a great campaign and a deserved success. It^s marvellous to gather support, even from the ^Johnny come latelies^ in the Tory Party. The train hasn^t left the station yet and there^s room for many more to clamber aboard, even at this stage^

Old Oak Common does need to find s new home as HS2 will need most pf the space, plus the new huge station planned, so why not at the other emd of the route?

Old Oak Common does need to find a new home as HS2 will need most pf the space, plus the new huge station planned, so why not at the other emd of the route?

Just over ^146m will be spent upgrading the South West rail network including an overhaul of sleeper trains.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the ^146.6m was a "crucial part of a long-term economic plan to back business".

The upgrades will see the sleeper trains linking London with Devon and Cornwall upgraded, as well as signalling improvements west of Totnes.

Tim Jones from the Devon and Cornwall Business Council said the work would improve track speeds.

He said it would make an "immeasurable difference" and he also hoped it would pave the way for the introduction of half-hourly services on the Cornish mainline.

The investment includes ^9m of funding from the Department for Transport, ^29.6m from Cornwall Council and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, ^103.5m from Network Rail and ^4.5m from train operator First Great Western.

Nearly seven million passengers use the rail network in Cornwall every year, with passenger numbers growing twice as fast as the national average.

Bert Biscoe, Cornwall Council's cabinet member for transportation, said enhancing main line signalling was as important as improving the A30 and building the Tamar Bridge in keeping the county connected.

Major package of rail improvements for Cornwall

The Prime Minister has today announced a ^146.6 million package of rail improvements for Cornwall which will see a major upgrade to the Sleeper service, improved signalling on the main line and enhancements to the traincare maintenance centre in Penzance.
 
The announcement has been welcomed by Cornwall Council and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership who have spent the last 18 months working with First Great Western, Network Rail and the Department for Transport on new measures to improve rail services in Cornwall.
 
Last year First Great Western and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership secured two additional carriages for the Night Riviera Sleeper service, one of only two Sleeper operations in the UK. Today^s announcement will see significant improvements to the quality of the Sleeper berths, day coaches and the saloon area by April 2016.

Video: artist impression of the new Night Riviera Sleeper (http://youtu.be/RypBSOouz3s).
 
The package will also see Network Rail^s proposals to renew signalling across Cornwall^s 128 kilometres of main rail line brought forward by five years to December 2018. This will increase capacity, provide the opportunity for improved journey times in the future and support Cornwall Council's desire to provide a half-hourly service on the main line.

The third element of the package involves the improvement of the engineering capabilities and capacity of the train care depot in Penzance. Once operational in autumn 2016, the depot will provide modernised facilities to maintain the Sleeper with the capacity to add additional rolling stock in the future to support Cornwall Council^s desired service enhancements.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: ^Ensuring that we have first class infrastructure across Britain is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan to back business, create jobs and provide a brighter future for hardworking people. This investment, which will boost the local economy and improve connectivity, is great news for Cornwall, the South West and beyond.^

Cornwall Council^s Cabinet Member for Transportation, Bert Biscoe said: ^This announcement is great news for Cornwall. We have been working closely with the LEP and First Great Western to improve our rail services and are delighted that the Government is supporting our plans. This is a real opportunity to develop Cornwall^s public transport network. Enhancing the main line signalling in Cornwall is just as important as dualling the A30 and building the Tamar Bridge in keeping Cornwall connected.^
 
Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, Chris Pomfret said: ^Transport connectivity is always one of the first issues identified by the business community as a barrier to Cornwall^s economic growth. This investment makes a major step forward in addressing this issue through an enhanced sleeper service and potentially a more regular and resilient link to London and the rest of the country.

^Perhaps, just as importantly, is that this is a real demonstration of a council and LEP and the two relevant rail bodies and the Department for Transport working together to produce a solution that benefits all parties, but most particularly, the people of Cornwall.^
 
First Great Western Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: ^This is just another example of the significant investment that is benefitting customers across our network. At First Great Western we have a great track record of working with local authority partners and the wider rail industry to deliver significant improvements of real economic value for the communities we serve. This upgrade takes the Night Riviera Sleeper product to a whole new level, providing top class accommodation, increasing capacity and introducing a brasserie-style bar area while paving the way for potential future train service improvements.^

Network Rail^s Western Route Managing Director Patrick Hallgate said: ^The South West has a vibrant economy which is experiencing staggering growth in demand for rail travel. That can only be supported by putting in the best possible connections to the rest of the country. Network Rail is proud to be playing a part in that success story."

Work on the Sleeper upgrade will be carried out by Knorr-Bremse RailServices UK.

Managing Director, Paul Goodhand said: ^We are delighted to be involved with the improvement programme being implemented by First Great Western to their Night Riviera Sleeper service. Knorr-Bremse RailServices is carrying out a complete refurbishment on the trains which will make them even more attractive for passengers traveling the Paddington to Penzance route. We share with our customer, First Great Western, their ambition of making this route one of the most pleasurable long distance train routes for passengers in the UK.^

I wonder if the Long Rock upgrade will include re doubling the line from Marazion to Penzance. This would be very useful if there are to be extra services on the main line in the future plus some through trains from St.Ives to Penzance.

I wonder if the Long Rock upgrade will include re doubling the line from Marazion to Penzance. This would be very useful if there are to be extra services on the main line in the future plus some through trains from St.Ives to Penzance.

Is it even wide enough with the depot in the way, certainly not wide enough at the level crossing into the beach car park at the end of the depot.

It must be about 40 years since the singling happened.

North Pole is the replacement for Old Oak Common as it's currently being refurbished in preparation for IEP. I'm not sure what happens to the HEX fleet, is there room for their site to remain? Obviously the HEX fleet isn't going to be maintained at Long Rock anyway!

'Fatal' Penzance level crossing is permanently closed

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/79975000/jpg/_79975736_1267142_649786641712160_1671366721_o.jpg)
Jan Nicholls, 73, died after being hit by a train at the crossing in 2011

A railway crossing where a woman was hit by a train and killed is to be permanently closed.

The Planning Inspectorate ruled the Mexico Inn pedestrian crossing near Penzance should be closed for safety reasons.

Jan Nicholls, 73, died after being hit by a train at the crossing in 2011.

The Open Spaces Society said it was "dismayed" at the decision to close the path which it described as "extremely important".

In response to the decision Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne said: "In my view the safest level crossing is a closed level crossing."

However, Mr Carne said he accepted the "vital role" played by level crossings in "connecting communities".

"In this particular case it's somewhat inconvenient to have to walk a little bit up the road in order to use the barriered crossing," he said. "But given that most people are going for a recreational walk I don't think the risk increase associated with the Mexico crossing justifies it remaining open."

The crossing was closed on a temporary basis in December 2012 after advice from the coroner.

The decision to close the crossing permanently was taken following an inquiry held in October 2014.

Rob Nance, chairman of Friends of Long Rock Mexico Crossing, said: "It's more for the people who just want to get across quickly and have a look at the bay, which includes a lot of elderly people who can't really make the other route."

The Open Spaces Society said the crossing was a popular route and needed by the public to gain access to the beach.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary, said: "This path is extremely important for local people and visitors. With the other objectors we shall study the decision letter carefully and consider whether we can take the matter further."

This may be way more detail than you wanted and perhaps not the easiest to navigate but all the planning application documents can be found at:
http://docs.planning.cornwall.gov.uk/rpp/index.asp?caseref=PA15/07736 (http://docs.planning.cornwall.gov.uk/rpp/index.asp?caseref=PA15/07736)

Thank you for this link. There isn't much room to play with there but I was rather hoping that provision would have been made where possible for a reinstatement of the double track to cope with the planned increase in frequency of services on the main line and the extension of more St Ives services to Penzance. In the "down" direction, now that the Mexico level crossing has been closed, double track could be easily extended to the Long Rock level crossing. 

I also wonder what the plans are for the Ponsandane sidings. 

At Ponsandane sidings, New bank and Kings road have been disconnected and it looks like they're being filled in. Sandy bank (the one nearest the road) has been disconnected and it looks like that is being filled in too. Shoots, (the short siding) has been completely lifted and Old bank (the one nearest the running lines) has been relaid and reinstated.

At the east end of the depot, Oil road (where the fuel tanks used to be berthed), Shunt spur and Walter's siding have all been disconnected, presumably in preparation for building the new shed.

KM

Thank you, Kernowman. I hope that the disconnection of Oil road does not mean that no provision will be made for a future reinstatement of rail-borne fuel delivieries. If there is going to be an increase in frequency of services on the main line to Plymouth/beyond, it could follow that larger quantities of fuel will be delivered to Penzance. In this case, a train of fuel tankers should be more economically attractive than before. 

I suppose some stock could be berthed in Penzance station over the holiday.

...mmm.  It's sure to be vandalised if its left there... :P

Option F  – Penzance (1300/1530) or visit GWR Open Day at Long Rock Depot

Sadly, I shall be away on that date, and too far to call by.

Likewise unfortunately

See you in Kuala Lumpur!

A grand day was had at a very breezy Long Rock TMD. I'll post a selection of photos here tomorrow. In the mean time, all those I took can be viewed in my Photobucket at the following link. Rough and ready, no editing, some duplicates.

http://s598.photobucket.com/user/bignosemac/library/Long%20Rock%20Open%20Day%2013%20April%202019

Laira would be fantastic.

Anyone fancy telling Google? I don't seem to have much luck with this kind of thing...

Well they're still telling me that they can't verify the fact that Bristol Bridge is closed to private cars. But they're no longer routing cars over it. Go figure!

I told them that it was closed following a fatal accident and an inquest. That trumps a Marvellous Marvin Mayoral Mandate.

Sounds a good idea IF true. Hopefully able to take a 10 car, not 5+5 IET. And yes I know that they are not that length now, but planning for the future?