Smithy Bridge's 'Great Barrier Grief' continues - two years after councillor raised concerns with Network Rail

Councillor John Taylor has once again raised concerns about Smithy Bridge’s level crossing with Network Rail – two years after first broaching the issue with the rail infrastructure manager.
 

Read more: Smithy Bridge’s 'Great Barrier Grief'Published: 30 July 2021

Councillor Taylor’s latest concerns about ‘the Great Barrier Grief’ follows the failure of the barriers on Wednesday (7 June), which caused localised gridlock and chaos for several hours.

The railway line at Smithy Bridge – where trains travel in excess of 60 mph throughout the day – has had its fair share of level crossing incidents in the past. Much to local residents’ chagrin, the barriers fail to function on a frequent basis, causing traffic and disruption in the surrounding Pennines area.

The Wardle, Shore and West Littleborough councillor said: “I was assured by Network Rail a lasting solution had been found. That clearly isn’t the case and disruption caused by the failing barriers continues to cause severe disruption with alarming regularity.

“The rush hour traffic was brought to a standstill once more on Wednesday teatime due to yet another failure of the barriers to function properly, much to the alarm and inconvenience of hundreds of residents and motorists.

“At best this is an inconvenience for residents, workers and visitors alike – especially as the crossing is so close to Hollingworth Lake but more importantly there is a genuine fear for personal safety too.

“When the barriers fail in the down position we end up with a localised gridlock of our highways and should they fail in the up position we would be subjected to a catastrophic risk to life.”

 

 

He continued: “I am not alone in having little confidence in the barriers and believe our residents deserve better from Network Rail, and I am equally convinced many others, like myself, wonder if the barriers are working or not every time I approach them in the closed position.

“It is almost two years since I last wrote to Network Rail and asked the following three questions:

• Why do the barriers malfunction so often?
• When will a lasting and safe solution to found?
• How can you reassure residents their safe passage over the crossing can be guaranteed?

“Unfortunately, and despite Network Rail’s reassurances, those questions remain as pertinent today as they did then and it is disappointing how a solution is yet to be found. Resolving this issue ought to be prioritised and addressed properly as it has gone on for far too long.”

Network Rail has been contacted for comment.