Media centre

Friday 30 Jul 2021

Dartmoor Line level crossing upgrade information event

Region & Route:

Wales & Western

| Wales & Western: Western

Network Rail is inviting the local community to attend an information event next week to find out more about forthcoming improvements to the level crossings along the Dartmoor Line.

Network Rail is holding a drop-in event next Wednesday 4 August at Bow Village Hall from 3.30pm until 7pm, where people will be able to find out more about these upgrades.

For those unable to make the drop-in event in person, there will also be a virtual event on Thursday 5 August between 5pm and 6pm which can be joined via the following URL - https://tinyurl.com/28x2f27y.

Having successfully finished relaying the new track and sleepers in May, Network Rail’s team of engineers has continued to work day and night on a number of aspects of the project including drainage, fencing and undertaking bridge repairs.

Throughout August between 8.30am and 4.30pm, attention will turn to renewing six level crossings along the Dartmoor Line. During this time, there will be a miniature stop light system installed at each level crossing site for the safety of both the public and those working on the railway line.

The sites of the six level crossings being upgraded are:

• Penstone footpath crossing (EX17 5JS)
• Colebrooke Two Moors Way Footpath crossing (by Waterford Plantation)
• Landsend User Worked crossing (near to Landsend Lane)
• Common Moor 1 User Worked Crossing (EX17 6JA)
• Buttisland User Worked Crossing (Butterlands Park Farm access road)
• Corscombe User Worked Crossing (EX20 1SD by Corscombe Lane)

Another aspect of the Dartmoor Line reopening is also progressing, with planning permission now received for the new GSM-R masts (the railway’s mobile communications system), with work to install the masts expected to commence in August.

Valentina Oncescu, Network Rail Project Manager, said: “We are pleased with the progress our teams are continuing to make and upgrading the level crossings is the next stage of work as we look to reopen the Dartmoor Line by the end of this year.

“Understandably, people will have been used to using the level crossings to pass over the Dartmoor Line with no trains running. However, as we move towards the return of regular passenger services it is imperative we upgrade these level crossings to ensure people can safely cross the railway.

“We look forward to seeing as many people as possible at our open event to discuss these improvements as well as the other aspects of work we are continuing to progress with.”

For more information about the Dartmoor Line please visit https://dartmoorline.com/