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Friday 28 Aug 2015

Two level crossings near Romsey to be improved – please check for road closures

Region & Route:

| Southern

A pair of rural level crossings near Romsey in Hampshire are about to be upgraded to improve safety and reliability.

The crossings, in the village of West Dean and near to East Dean, will be transformed by Network Rail with the latest technology this autumn.

The crossings, on East Dean Road and Rectory Hill, currently have a pair of automatic barriers that cover half the road each and are triggered by approaching trains. When upgraded next month, the crossings will have full-length barriers with radar technology used to check if the road is clear.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “When we have rebuilt these crossings they will have new obstacle detection kit that will scan the road with radar to check it is safe to lower the barriers. Safety is our top priority and this work will not only improve safety for road users but also reliability.

“Network Rail has a national programme of level crossing closures and improvements, to increase safety on the railway for passengers and motorists. In fact, we have closed more than 900 in the past five years and where we cannot close them, we make improvements such as these.”

As a result of the work needed for the upgrades, Network Rail will have to temporarily close the roads, with diversions via West Tytherley. Drivers are urged to plan ahead to avoid delays.

The work on Dean Hill level crossing, on East Dean Road, will be complete by the end of September, while Dean crossing, on Rectory Hill, will be complete by the end of October.

NOTES:

East Dean Road

As a result of the work needed to upgrade the crossing, East Dean Road will be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians from 10.30pm on Friday, September 4, until 6.30am on Sunday, September 6. After that time attendants will be in place to escort emergency services and pedestrians across but it will remain closed to all other vehicles until Monday, September 21.

There will be follow-up work on the evenings of September 21-24 but attendants will be in place to escort vehicles and pedestrians across.

Please contact the Network Rail helpline on 03457 114141 for details.

Rectory Hill

There will be a variety of different closures, both full and part, of this road from September 19 until October 26 for work to be completed.

Please contact the Network Rail helpline on 03457 114141 for details.