Media centre

Friday 13 Feb 2004

PRAISE FOR SUCCESS OVER LEVEL CROSSING PROJECT

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Network Rail has received a pat on the back from local residents and organisations following its successful project to resurface a level crossing. The rail company responded to complaints over the condition of the road surface where the major A49 trunk road crosses the line at Onibury, Craven Arms, by successfully implementing a plan to close the road and refurbish the surface, even managing to reopen the road a day ahead of schedule. “The road surface was in a very poor condition. This did not pose any problem or safety issues for the trains but made it extremely uncomfortable for drivers using the crossing,” said Lee Green, Network Rail’s Maintenance Delivery Manager. “The old Omni-units –a bit like rubber blocks – had deteriorated and we were no longer able simply to repair them. The upshot was that any vehicles using the line had to cross very slowly because the surface was so bumpy.” Network Rail liaised closely with Shropshire County Council, the Highways Agency, and other local organisations such as Craven Arms Town Council and the A49 Safety Campaign Group over the best course of action. The road was closed and a four-and-a-half-mile diversion set up. Plans were in place for an alternative diversion that could be set up at a moment’s notice if the first diversionary route became blocked due to any accidents. -more- Crossing – 2             The surface has now been replace with Polysafe units – a type of concrete within a steel frame –, which are very hardwearing. Although permission had been given to close the road for a week, Network Rail contractors managed to complete the £150,000 project a day early and so reopen the road.             “This was very significant,” said Lee. “The A49 is a very busy trunk road and its closure presented a real inconvenience to road users, so we were delighted to be able to reopen it a day earlier than planned.”             Peter Jones, Honorary Secretary of the A49 Safety Campaign Group, said he was delighted with the way Network Rail had managed the resurfacing project and liaised with local groups and organisations. He said: “The whole community is appreciative of the work which was completed in a speedy and efficient way. With Network Rail and the Highways Agency combing so well the whole scheme was completed with the minimum of disruption.”