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Tuesday 23 Jul 2019

Network Rail invites residents to find out more about planned upgrade work at Whittington level crossing

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

Whittington residents are invited to a drop-in event to find out more about the upgrade to Whittington level crossing being delivered by Network Rail later this year.

As the surface of the current level crossing is life expired, Network Rail engineers will replace the crossing with a much harder wearing rubber material to reduce noise when traffic passes over it and make it easier for cyclists to cross.

The drop-in event will take place on Tuesday 30 July from 3pm to 7pm at The Senior Citizens Hall, Whittington, Oswestry, SY11 4BW. No appointment is necessary and representatives from Network Rail’s project team will be on hand to provide information and answer any questions ahead of the work.

In order to undertake the work, there will be a temporary road closure in place. Whittington level crossing will be closed from 10:30pm on Friday 30 August until 07:30am on Monday 9 September. A fully signposted diversionary route will be in place which will divert motorists via the B5009 south to Wootton.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the day, except for all day on Sunday 1 and Sunday 8 September, when the team need unrestricted access to the level crossing to carry out this essential work. During these times buses will replace trains between Wrexham and Shrewsbury stations so rail users are advised to plan ahead and check www.nationalrail.co.uk before travelling. 

Sean Wootton, scheme project manager for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “We would like to thank the local community in advance for their patience while we carry out this upgrade to Whittington level crossing.

“This essential work will improve the resilience and reliability of the level crossing and increase its lifespan for years to come.

“We will be working closely with our partners to minimise disruption and encourage anyone wishing to find out more about this work to come along to the drop-in event.”

Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’m pleased that Network Rail will soon be carrying out much-needed work improvements to the Whittington level crossing and thank people in advance for their patience while this important work is carried out.”

Colin Lea, customer experience director for Transport for Wales, said: “Keeping level crossings safe and reliable is incredibly important in the running of the railway so it’s great news that we’re seeing this investment in Whittington by Network Rail.

“We’ve worked closely with our partners in Network Rail to keep disruption to passengers to a minimum, but those travelling between Wrexham and Shrewsbury on those two Sundays should make sure they check journey details in advance.

“We really want our customers and people in the local community to be fully informed of how this will impact them, so I’d urge anyone who can make it to get along to the drop in sessions.”