Thatcham level crossing - ongoing discussion of possible changes and problems

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Changes to a Berkshire level crossing could reduce traffic and the amount of time barriers remain closed.

Network Rail and West Berkshire Council are working together on possible improvements to a crossing near Thatcham station.

Preventing trains "overhanging" the crossing - when they stop at the station and keep barriers down for longer - is a primary concern.

A new road layout proposal would also undergo a public consultation.

The potential improvements follow an independent survey carried out by consultants Stuart Michael Associates.

Changes to southbound traffic flows could include introducing a dedicated right turn lane for access to the Royal Mail's sorting office on Station Road.

Councillor Keith Chopping, West Berkshire's Council's highways cabinet member, said: "All the options have been carefully studied and considered. The overhanging work and dedicated right turn are the most immediate, practical and affordable solutions."

The consultants' report added replacing the level crossing with a bridge over the railway line is likely to be out of the question at this time.

A public consultation will formally begin early next year.

[paul7575]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Changes to a Berkshire level crossing could reduce traffic and the amount of time barriers remain closed.

There's something missing in the BBC's first sentence I think?  Perhaps they meant this:

Changes to a Berkshire level crossing could reduce traffic delays by reducing the amount of time barriers remain closed?

That would be a bit more logical.  I doubt any possible positive changes to a level crossing would ever reduce traffic...   

Paul

[ellendune]

There's something missing in the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)'s first sentence I think?  Perhaps they meant this:

Changes to a Berkshire level crossing could reduce traffic delays by reducing the amount of time barriers remain closed?

That would be a bit more logical.  I doubt any possible positive changes to a level crossing would ever reduce traffic...  

Paul

Keeping is shut most of the time would probably have that effect

[bobm]

From the Newbury Weekly News.

Drivers trying to cross Thatcham level crossing are facing further disruption this evening (Wednesday) due to a signalling fault.
 
The fault has resulted in the barriers being shut for the second time today.
 
A spokeswoman for Network Rail, Sam Kelly, said that engineers are working on the problem, which is expected to be resolved by 6pm and apologised for the further inconvenience.
 
Police are on the scene directing traffic.
 
This is the second problem to hit the station today after the barriers failed in the down position at 10:55am causing traffic queues on both sides.

[BerkshireBugsy]

From the Newbury Weekly News.

Drivers trying to cross Thatcham level crossing are facing further disruption this evening (Wednesday) due to a signalling fault.
 
The fault has resulted in the barriers being shut for the second time today.
 
A spokeswoman for Network Rail, Sam Kelly, said that engineers are working on the problem, which is expected to be resolved by 6pm and apologised for the further inconvenience.
 
Police are on the scene directing traffic.
 
This is the second problem to hit the station today after the barriers failed in the down position at 10:55am causing traffic queues on both sides.

I came home on the 1736 from Reading to Thatcham last night and we were only a few minutes late which was good.It looked like there were network rail vans blocking the barriers which were down but there were still cars waiting to cross. Im not sure if they knew something we didnt or they were just being optimistic!

[Super Guard]

Trains were being talked past 2 signals on the Down, and there were delays reported of up to 25minutes.  The 1703 Pad-Penzance was diverted via Swindon/Melksham and did not call at Newbury.  The line was handed back with normal running-ish about the time that BerkshireBugsy would have been travelling.

[BerkshireBugsy]

Trains were being talked past 2 signals on the Down, and there were delays reported of up to 25minutes.  The 1703 Pad-Penzance was diverted via Swindon/Melksham and did not call at Newbury.  The line was handed back with normal running-ish about the time that BerkshireBugsy would have been travelling.

IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion) the diversion announcements at Reading regarding the Penzance servers were clear and concise, assuming you didn't have your earphones on and just took notice of the train itinary notices in the train windows. on the 1737 I believe we first puilled up outside Midgham and then progressed slowly to Thatcham. A few minutes late but no big deal to me anyway.