1.3 ENVIRONMENT Up side crossing approach Down side crossing approach The environment surrounding Gipsy Lane FPG level crossing consists of town or village etc on one side of the line. It is a public footpath level crossing which is located on Gipsy Lane. There are no stations visible at the level crossing. At Gipsy Lane FPG level crossing the orientation of the road/path from the north is 130 ; the orientation of the railway from the north to the up line in the up direction is 50. 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: Network Rails has not been consulted on and is not aware of any planned or ongoing developments. 2. LEVEL CROSSING USAGE 2.1 RAIL The train service over Gipsy Lane FPG level crossing consists of passenger and freight trains. There are 198 trains per day. The highest permissible line speed of trains is 100mph. Trains are timetabled to run for 24 hours per day. Assessor s notes: Large number of both high speed passenger, slower passenger and freight stock passes over the crossing. The differential speeds mean warning times are varied. 2.2 USER CENSUS DATA A 24 hour census was carried out on 23/03/2015 by the year.. The census applies to 100% of The census taken on the day is as follows: Pedestrians 47 Pedal cyclists 2 Horses / riders 0 Animals on the hoof 0 Available information indicates that the crossing has a high proportion of vulnerable users. 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 16
b. benefit to cost ratio is between 0.99 and 0.5: reasonable safety and business benefit established where costs are not grossly disproportionate against the safety benefit; and c. benefit to cost ratio is between 0.49 and 0.0: weak safety and business benefit established. 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 8 of 16
5.2 CONCLUSIONS Assessor s notes: Gipsy Lane FPG is a pedestrian crossing located in between Stowmarket and Needham Market. It is on the London to Norwich main line approximately 1100metres south of Needham Market Station. Access to the crossing is via wicket gates which open away from the railway and are positioned 2m from the nearest rails. The crossing has tarmac approaches leading to the rubber Holdfast deck which are boarded by timber anti-trespass guards. The approaches have slight inclines up to the track level. The train service is frequent with a broad variety of trains passing the crossing each day. They include passenger and freight trains or various lengths and types and also differing speeds. Due to the large number of trains passing over this crossing, there is a significant possibility of two trains passing over the crossing and one blocking the view of the second train approaching on the other line. Sighting of Down direction approaching trains is insufficient for users to cross due to the sharp track curvature and 3 rd party vegetation. This is currently mitigated via a temporary speed restriction (TSR) of 50mph which gives a user suitable time to cross. Sighting of Up direction trains is far better as the line is straight, meaning trains are visible at just over 600metres. The census shows an above average number of users for the type and location of crossing and this may be due to the locals not wishing to have the crossing closed following the public meeting and thus increasing the usage. Once the census camera had been spotted, many users made multiple trips back and forth within a short time period. The majority of users were seen to be around retirement age and so considered as vulnerable meaning the traverse time has been increased to compensate. No night time usage was recorded. Options to mitigate against the reduced sighting and to lower or remove the risks associated are as follows:- Miniature Stop Lights or MSLs would give improved warnings of approaching trains, however due to the proximity of Needham Market Station warning times would be increased as users would be waiting while a train stops at the station. This would increase to possibility of users crossing on a red light as they believe they have time before the train arrives at the crossing. This option has been dismissed at this time. A footbridge would remove the crossing, but the location next to residential properties makes this an unpopular option and it is not cost effective. This is part of an ongoing public consultation and design An underpass would remove the crossing but there are engineering restrictions due to the risk of flooding and steep approaches. This is part of an on-going public consultation and design Permanent speed restriction - the current TSR of 50mph is slowing down the passenger service considerably and as there are current government aspirations to increase the line speed between London and Norwich, this is not considered as a permanent mitigation. The crossing is currently in a suitable and sufficient state for its users but is reliant on a speed restriction (with the additional warning via whistle boards) to achieve compliant warnings of approaching trains. Sufficient sighting will never be fully achieved due to the London side curve with vegetation on third party land, and Miniature Stop Lights cannot be installed due to the proximity of the 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 16
station at Needham Market. Therefore, the only options available are closure with diversion, either to a footbridge or underpass, both of which are currently the focus of engineering development along with public consultation. 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 16
ANNEX A ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS DSAC - Down side across crossing USAC Up side across crossing DSDDTA Down side down direction train approach DSUDTA Down side up direction train approach USUDTA Up side up direction train approach UDDDTA Up side down direction train approach 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 16