Up side crossing approach Down side crossing approach Harts Drove UWCM level crossing provides Access to worksite / leisure area from facility. It is an occupation level crossing which is located on Aliwal Road. A station can be seen from the level crossing. At Harts Drove UWCM level crossing the orientation of the road/path from the north is 175 ; the orientation of the railway from the north to the up line in the up direction is 100. Low horizon can result in sun glare; sun glare is a known issue. There are no planned or apparent developments near the crossing which may lead to a change or increase in use or risk. Site visit general observations: The crossing is in good order with few faults recorded from last inspection. One history of abuse in the last 12 months: LC Misuse - Tractor crossed over Harts Drove LC whilst 13:58 Ipswich - Peterborough was stationary in the station. 12-Nov-14 2. LEVEL CROSSING USAGE 2.1 RAIL The train service over Harts Drove UWCM level crossing consists of passenger and freight trains. There are 186 trains per day. The highest permissible line speed of trains is 75mph. Trains are timetabled to run for 24 hours per day. Assessor s notes: 2.2 USER CENSUS DATA Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd Registered Office Kings Place, York Way, London N1 9AG Registered in England and Wales No. 2904587 www networkrail co uk Passive Level Crossing Risk Assessment Template v1.0 [July 2014] Page 2 of 17
Assessor s another train coming notes: This is likely during normal services and risk could increase when trains are out of sequence on this section of line. 3.5 INCIDENT HISTORY A level crossing safety event has been known to occur at Harts Drove UWCM level crossing in the last twelve months. Assessor s incident history notes: LC Misuse - Tractor crossed over Harts Drove LC whilst 13:58 Ipswich - Peterborough was stationary in the station. 12-Nov-14 Gate discipline (including barriers) Reports indicate that the gates are ALWAYS CLOSED. Assessor s notes on operational disruptions: trains cautioned if gates are left open Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd Registered Office Kings Place, York Way, London N1 9AG Registered in England and Wales No. 2904587 www networkrail co uk Passive Level Crossing Risk Assessment Template v1.0 [July 2014] Page 6 of 17
5.2 CONCLUSIONS Assessor s notes: This crossing sits on the edge of Whittlesea between the station MG and Ramsey road AHB, with the town to the north and countryside to the south. the crossing is an UWC+MWL crossing with an adjoining FP section, it sits high so there is no problems with flooding, just across on the down side is an AWA treatment site with tankers crossing over to collect waste, there is also farmed fields with a farmhouse and assorted buildings, the farm AU is very proactive and regularly speaks to me whilst i am inspecting the crossing, the AWA tankers should follow a procedure of booking in with AWA office and the signal box on arrival at the crossing and departing. The most recent misuse has been a tractor crossing in front of a train; the train was believed to be stopped in the station. there was an issue with graffiti at the crossing with all signage daubed with girls names and the words my bitches written everywhere, this was cleaned off and covert cameras installed, after a period of time the crossing was revisited and graffiti had reappeared, the cameras were checked and good pictures showing a young girl writing on the signs were viewed, the details were all then sent to the local college and they did a very good job of identifying the girls, who admitted their part and wrote the appropriate letters of apology to myself with their parents being informed. there are various projects looking at closure of this crossing including ETCS and dedicated closure teams, an upgrade of a small track on the down side approach to a usable road with passing places so the AWA and farm sites are reachable is a good option and an alternative footpath section being offered on the up side. A nine day census carried out by Sotera has been captured for this RA and any future ones giving us a better insight into the usage of this crossing. There are Whistleboards at this crossing for the purposes of the FP section; these are thought to be historic mitigation as now there is MWL available with signage for the UWC & FP sections. Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd Registered Office Kings Place, York Way, London N1 9AG Registered in England and Wales No. 2904587 www networkrail co uk Passive Level Crossing Risk Assessment Template v1.0 [July 2014] Page 9 of 17
Options below: 1. INSTALL STRAIL DECKING: This is a good option offering a solid surface with a good life expectancy and anti-slip available for pedestrians operating UWC gates. Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd Registered Office Kings Place, York Way, London N1 9AG Registered in England and Wales No. 2904587 www networkrail co uk Passive Level Crossing Risk Assessment Template v1.0 [July 2014] Page 10 of 17
2. CLOSURE VIA ROAD BRIDGE: This option is covered by project teams covering closures and ETCS, an upgrade of a small track on the down side approach to a usable road with passing places so the AWA and farm sites are reachable is a good option and an alternative footpath section being offered on the up side. 3. CLOSURE VIA UNDERPASS: This option is covered by project teams covering closures and ETCS, an upgrade of a small track on the down side approach to a usable road with passing places so the AWA and farm sites are reachable is a good option and an alternative footpath section being offered on the up side. 4. INSTAL POGO GATES. Optioned on 15/04/16 A good option for this crossing to reduce time spent by users at the crossing Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd Registered Office Kings Place, York Way, London N1 9AG Registered in England and Wales No. 2904587 www networkrail co uk Passive Level Crossing Risk Assessment Template v1.0 [July 2014] Page 11 of 17
ANNEX A ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS UP DIRECTION DOWN DIRECTION Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd Registered Office Kings Place, York Way, London N1 9AG Registered in England and Wales No. 2904587 www networkrail co uk Passive Level Crossing Risk Assessment Template v1.0 [July 2014] Page 12 of 17