Local News
Anna Calls For Ministerial Action Over Railway Crossing
Anna Turley, Member of Parliament for Redcar, used her first question in the House of Commons today to call for ministerial action to secure improvements to the railway crossing on West Dyke Road in Redcar town centre.
Following over 15 breakdowns and closures over the last year, Ms Turley called on the Secretary of State Patrick McLoughlin to intervene with Network Rail and bring forward promised upgrades to the crossing.
The Secretary of State promised that the Rail Minister Claire Perry would meet with Ms Turley to discuss the issues affecting Redcar.
Anna Turley said: “Network Rail promised to upgrade the rail crossing on West Dyke Road but have not given a definite timescale. I want to see this work brought forward. The number of crossing failures and closures over the last year are unacceptable. They have a massive impact on the town centre, affecting small businesses and causing huge inconvenience to bus users as routes are diverted.
“I will be taking up the offer of a meeting with the Rail Minister as this situation can't be allowed to drag on. Network Rail need to get moving on this and give us a definite timescale for the upgrade.”
Speaking in April, a spokesperson for Network Rail told Zetland FM: “We are fully aware of the ongoing issues at West Dyke Road level crossing which occur during periods of high winds and are sympathetic towards those impacted."
"In such conditions, the barriers become a hazard and we have to close them to road users to keep the public and staff safe, as well as to keep train services running.
“Following the most recent closure of the crossing we took the opportunity to refurbish the barriers with a new motor, a new battery and new wheels as well as halving the size of the slats on the barrier to reduce wind resistance. We have also sourced more replacement components from across the country to ensure a quick return to operation should a part fail in the future.
“We are currently in the process of working with the Office of Rail Regulation and the local authority to secure a new, interim barrier system for West Dyke crossing which, subject to legal agreement, we hope will be installed within the next 12 months rather than the previously announced date of 2018. If agreed, the replacement barrier system would be a novel design and unlike any level crossing currently in operation on the national network.”
